SEVERNSIDE’S only Welsh-medium school held a party to celebrate its 10th birthday in its current home.

The ‘Big Welsh Bash’ at Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin in Caldicot was held as further investment in Welsh language in Monmouthshire was announced.

Ysgol Gymraeg y Ffin moved to the former Sandy Lane Infants School in Caldicot in September 2008 after seven years in the Victorian school at Sudbrook.

Current headteacher Mr Jamie Hallett said the idea for Saturday afternoon’s ‘bash’ came from the Parent Teacher Association and the school governors.

It included musical performances from present and past pupils, the regional band of the St John Ambulance, the Caldciot Musical Theatre Society, Powerhouse Dance and Kre8tive Kids.

There was also an opportunity to meet snakes and other reptiles from Black Rock Reptiles and to take part in science experiments and to have a go at first aid with the St John Ambulance.

Visitors also responded enthusiastically to a challenge to raise enough money for Mr Hallett to have his face painted – all in aid of school funds.

Mr Hallett said: “We said if we raised £100 in an hour I would have my face painted.”

Parents contributed £150 and Mr Hallett was transformed into a unicorn.

There was also a celebration cake made by Mrs Karen Cross which was decorated with the school’s logo which is based on the design of an ancient brooch found near its original home in Sudbrook.

Mr Hallett said the afternoon had been a great success.

He added: “The idea for the Big Welsh Bash came from the PTA and governing body who that after 10 years on the site it was time to celebrate the school and the Welsh language in the community.

“We had concerns on Saturday morning because it so damp but having it in the hall made it more initimate and meant everyone got to see the talents of our current and past pupils and other groups n the community.

“It was a nice opportunity for parents to come along and have a chat about the school.

“Ysgol y Ffin means ‘school on the border’ and we are looking to spread the message that bilingual education is available in this area.

“Academically the school’s status is very good and we’ve had a very positive Estyn inspection.

“We want to help increase the number of people speaking Welsh – the Welsh Government has an ambitious target of a million Welsh speakers by 2050 and we have to play our part at Ysgol

Gymraeg y Ffin.”

Cllr Tony Easson (Lab, Dewstow) has been a governor at the school since it moved to his ward and he said the school has grown over that time.

He said: “When it first opened here there were about 80 pupils and now it is 150.

“It is a very progressive school and is making Welsh medium education available in south Monmouthshire for parents who want it.”

A new Welsh medium school will be opened in Monmouth, Monmouthshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for education, Cllr Richard John (Con, Mitchel Troy) announced last week.

The primary school will include early years provision and bilingual childcare.

He said the proposal would be subject to public consultation.