Cardiff Council Update: 24 January 2023

Here is our latest update, covering: Holocaust Memorial Day Wales 2023; Cardiff Music Board call for music lovers to support local independent venues; Pupils at Thornhill Primary "thoroughly enjoy coming to school" says Estyn.

Holocaust Memorial Day Wales 2023

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day 2023, a recording of this year's Wales Commemoration will be available to watch on the Cardiff Council YouTube channel.

Filmed at the Norwegian Church in Cardiff, the Multi-Faith Commemoration can be viewed from 11am on Friday 27th January, using the following link: https://youtu.be/DTjVTRxKbGs(link active at 11am on the 27th).

The Commemoration is conducted by The Reverend Canon Stewart Lisk, Honorary Chaplain to Cardiff Council, with contributors including First Minister, Mark Drakeford, Leader of Cardiff Council, Huw Thomas, and The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Graham Hinchey.

Viewers can follow the ceremony by downloading the Holocaust Memorial Wales Day 2023 programme here.

Holocaust Memorial Day is an international day of remembrance for victims of the Holocaust and other genocides. The day honours the survivors and remembers those who have lost their lives. It is held on January 27 every year, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

Cardiff Music Board call for music lovers to support local independent venues

Independent venues are the backbone of Cardiff's live music scene and Cardiff Music Board are calling on music lovers across the city to get out and support local grassroots venues during Independent Venue Week (IVW).

Chair of Cardiff Music Board, Cllr Huw Thomas said: "Independent venues have really been through the mill over the last few years, but they remain vital to Cardiff's music scene. We understand times are hard right now, but the best way most people can support venues in the city, and the artists who perform in them, is by going to a gig, buying a drink, maybe even picking up a t-shirt from the band."

Now in its 10th year, the annual celebration takes place across the UK from January 30thand will see gigs taking place in Cardiff at Clwb Ifor Bach, Made, Porter's, The Gate, The Moon and Norwegian Church Arts Centre.

The line-up includes SJ Hill's combination of R&B soul and pop, contemporary folk band Bwncath, experimental pop musician Amber Arcades, Welsh alternative rock band Trampolene, Grammy nominated artist Manu Delago, post-punk quartet English Teacher, and more.

Pupils at Thornhill Primary "thoroughly enjoy coming to school" says Estyn

In a recent inspection of Thornhill Primary School in Cardiff, Estyn found that pupils enjoy attending school and make notable progress in their social skills.

A report published by the Education Inspectorate for Wales, found that senior leaders have worked hard to create a feeling of mutual trust and respect between pupils and staff, a culture which plays a key role in ensuring the very positive attitudes that pupils have towards their learning.

Inspectors found that pupils' behaviour across the school is exceptional and that the wellbeing of pupils and their families is an important focus for the school. This is demonstrated through a range of community engagement activities established during the pandemic which helped to develop pupil's tolerance, respect and confidence skills successfully.

The report notes that most pupils make sound progress across the school, particularly those with additional learning needs (ALN) which make up 10% of the school's pupil population. The provision for pupils' personal development is effective and overall, the school's curriculum offers a suitable range of learning experiences.