Cyfarthfa Film Festival PR526
11th August 2008 Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s Education Welfare Service, in conjunction with The Merthyr Media Project, promoted the Cyfarthfa Film Festival culminating in an ‘Oscars Award Ceremony’ at Cyfarthfa Lower School during the last week of the summer term.
The Cyfarthfa Film Festival was aimed at promoting good attendance and socially engaging the young people of Year 8 through their transition from lower to upper school, as well as giving them the chance to work as members of a team.
Helen Griffiths, Education Welfare Officer, and Andrew Owen, Merthyr Media Project, cooperated to develop the initiative, which involved every class in year 8 being split into two groups. Each group was tasked with making a short film, so had to write a script, and identify the cast and location.
The project culminated with an ‘Oscar Ceremony’ held on the 15th July 2008 in Cyfarthfa Lower School. In total, 18 short films had been produced. The films were viewed by a ‘critical audience’ of staff and pupils, concluding in the presentation of replica Oscars by the Head teacher, Mr Alan Pritchard, for 8 different categories of cinematography.
Cllr Richard Thomas, Portfolio Councillor for Integrated Children’s Services said: “This innovative project has enabled Cyfarthfa High School and our Education Welfare Service to further engage with and motivate pupils at a key point of transition in their education. Early indications show that the attendance levels within the particular year group have increased considerably during the period of the project and right up to the last week of term when the film festival took place. Further initiatives are planned in other schools to increase overall levels of attendance across the County Borough. We know that low attendance can seriously harm young people’s life chances. That is why it is essential that schools and the local authority cooperate fully to ensure that all our children and young people attend school regularly. The support of parents and the community is vital if we are to succeed.”
Cllr Paul Brown, also Portfolio Councillor for ICS added: “I am delighted that Cyfarthfa High School has cooperated so effectively in this project which is aimed boosting attendance and enhancing pupils’ social skills at a key point of transition in their learning. The increase in attendance, building on existing good achievement in Cyfarthfa High School, is tribute to the hard work of the staff involved. I wish to record our appreciation of their hard work. Well done to all concerned. You all deserve an oscar.”
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