Address London Welsh School Hanwell Community Centre Westcott Crescent Hanwell London W7 1PD

Contact Telephone Number: 020 8575 0237 E-mail: info@ysgolgymraegllundain.co.uk In an emergency, when the school is closed, please use: Email: info@ysgolgymraegllundain.co.uk

Information Headteacher: Ms Julie K Watkins B.A.Hons, P.G.C.E., M. Ed Cantab Part of the Welsh Schools Trust Limited Charity Number: 1167479

Our Community

Eisteddfod yr Urdd and

the National Eisteddfod

The National Eisteddfod is a week long annual festival held during the first full week in August, attracting over 20k visitors each day. It encompasses the arts, sports and much more. Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain have a presence on the ‘Wales and the World’ and Welsh Government stalls. This is an ideal opportunity to promote the school. Urdd Gobaith Cymru, known as the Urdd, is a national children and youth organisation. The Urdd provides opportunities, through the medium of Welsh, to take part in all sorts of activities. The Urdd has five residential centres, one of which is in Llangrannog where Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain spends the last few days of the summer term each year. The Urdd National Eisteddfod (Welsh: Eisteddfod Genedlaethol Urdd Gobaith Cymru or Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr Urdd) is the annual children and youth Welsh-language festival of literature, music and performing arts organised by Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Arguably Europe's largest youth festival, it is held during the last week of May, coinciding with schools' half-term holidays. In our weekly after school Urdd Club, the pupils have tremendous fun preparing for the Eisteddfod competitions. The Urdd Eisteddfod has events and competitions to suit all from stage competitions to arts and crafts. The Eisteddfod is part of our cultural heritage and is a platform from which many a successful career has been launched. The Eisteddfod ‘Outside Wales’ is the qualifying round to compete in the main event in Wales. In 2019, Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain were national runners-up in the Action song competition. Do look at the video of our performance on YouTube. This was such a huge achievement for a small school outside of Wales. Year upon year, we notice a marked improvement in each child’s skills whether they be performing, designing, cooking or creating. In the Urdd Club, we support the children’s strengths and help them prepare for an array of different activities by working on the areas they would like to improve. Over the years, we have entered pupils in the following competitions. There is something for everyone: • Solo singing • Duet • Solo poetry reading • Poetry composition • Writing a piece of prose • Folk dancing • Folk singing • Instrumental solo • Ceramics • Cookery • T-shirt design • Creating a short film • Designing and creating a new cartoon character • 2D Artwork • 3D Design • Writing a review of a film • Photographic competitions: both black & white + colour.

Halibalŵ

Halibalŵ is a vibrant celebration of all things Welsh for families with young children right here in London. Held at the London Welsh Centre every October, Halibalŵ has become a staple in the London Welsh Community calendar and has supporters from far and wide - the famous, the wonderful grandparents, friends and families of our extended London Welsh Community. First founded in response to the call for a Welsh language pre-school event for families who wanted to raise their children as Welsh speakers in London. Halibalŵ is an opportunity for babies and children to play, listen to stories, participate in craft activities, sing and socialise through the medium of Welsh. Halibalŵ, as well as the Welsh playgroups Miri Mawr and Dreigiau Bach, also provides the opportunity to arrange playdates and build a network of support for families in their efforts to raise their children as bilingual or multilinguals in London. The London Welsh School PTFA always run a buzzing café filled to the brim with homemade goodies and knowing how challenging parenthood is, the PTFA have always provided free lunchboxes for every child at the event. Halibalŵ always has a main entertainer, often from the Welsh language channel S4C, with lots of dancing, singing and moving - the children (and parents) cannot fail to be kept busy. We normally have a bouncy castle, a puppet show, a professional drama workshop for older children, parent and baby yoga and a photographer to name but a few. The Welsh Nursery Education Movement [Mudiad Meithrin] always supports the event by sending representatives from Aberystwyth who have a plethora of advice with regards to bringing up children bilingually. Also, in previous years, The London Welsh Rugby minis have brought their fun-loving, Welsh-cake devouring Dewi Draig (Dewi the Dragon) to the event and representatives have been there to explain how you can get involved in the rugby scene. In 2023, we were joined by Elin and Rhian from Mudiad Meithrin and Criw Cyw from S4C. The older children enjoyed an interactive presentation based on the life and influence of Beti Campbell. Here is our last event….look out for the next one. We would love to see you there!

Learn Welsh

Capel Seion

Youth Club,

Ealing Green

On Friday evenings, our pupils,

former pupils and others meet

to socialize and enjoy all kinds

of activities under the leader-

ship of Miriam and Joanna. As one parent said recently,

'they love it'. The club gives the young people the opportu-

nity to meet as they are very often by then attending differ-

ent schools.

Welsh Chapels of London

The chapels are a great support to the school. Generous donations are received from a number of chapels and to express our appreciation, the school takes part in concerts and members of the chapels are invited to our open evenings. Many of the children attend the Sunday School in Ealing – this is a great opportunity to keep in touch with former pupils not to mention having fun classes from the dedicated teachers. One of the chapels opens its doors with a warm welcome for us to hold Board of Governors meetings.

London Welsh

Rugby Club

Situated in the Old Deer Park, Richmond which is convenient for Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain pupils, the London Welsh Minis is a special place for children to play rugby, primarily thanks to the group of committed and skilled coaches and team managers, who make every Sunday morning a fun experience; where children learn to play rugby in a friendly and supportive environment. Even if Ysgol Gymraeg Llundain doesn't have its own rugby team, there are ample opportunities in London to take part in all sorts of sporting activities.

Fundraising

It is possible to raise money by playing our 50:50 lottery where there is a chance to win a prize. Contact the school for details. Also, whenever you buy anything online - from your weekly shopping to your annual holiday - you could collect a free donation for the school. There are over 3000 shops willing to make a donation including Amazon, eBay, John Lewis, Booking.com and Sainsbury's - and it won't cost you a penny! It is very easy. All you have to do is: 1. Join. Register for free here: www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/thelondonwelshs chool/ 2. Shop. Every time you shop online, go to easyfundraising first, choose the store and then start shopping. 3. Raise money. After you pay, the retailer will make a donation to the school at no extra cost! There is no hidden charge. New parents - don't be shy - join in the fun in this friendly and social group, the PFTA! And, if you have ideas for events or have talents you'd like to share, get in touch straight away!

Hanwell Community

Centre

Hanwell Community Centre has a very interesting history.

From 1856 it was a 'Cuckoo' School for orphaned and dis-

advantaged children and none other than Charlie Chaplain

was a pupil there. Deep Purple used the building to practise

in 1969 and in 1999 one of the halls was used to film part

of the film 'Billy Elliot'. By today. it is owned by Ealing

Borough and Ysgol Gymraeg London occupies a wing on

the first floor. We have classrooms full of natural light with

high ceilings and a lovely, safe space outside for the chil-

dren to play. All kinds of sports and classes are held at the

centre. Watch the short video to learn more.