LLANRUMNEY HIGH'S LAST EVER GCSE RESULTS

As school closes, we congratulate the class of 2013 on their great results

Llanrumney High School’s last cohort of pupils to sit examinations did themselves, their school and their community proud.

The class of 2013 achieved record results for the school with 42% of pupils achieving five or more A*-C grades at GCSE.

The class of 2013 were still in their respective primary schools when the local authority first sought in April 2006 the closure and merger of Llanrumney and Rumney high schools.

Theirs is a school generation that went about their education while unnecessary time was wasted seeking to build a new school on Rumney Rec without the support of the local community. It is to their utter credit that they and their teachers never gave anything less than their best.

Llanrumney High School will cease to officially exist at the end of August. As we wish the GCSE students all the best as they embark on their futures we know that our Llanrumney children will grab the opportunity to make history as they begin life in September at Eastern High.

Acting Llanrumney High School head Jan Hargreaves will lead talented Llanrumney High School teachers and pupils across to the new Eastern High knowing that exciting years lie ahead for education in east Cardiff. A new purpose-built school will be built for September 2016.

We look forward to seeing in September Llanrumney children wearing their new Eastern High blazers and ties with pride. Education and a rise in standards are fundamental priorities for the Labour-run council.

So thank you to the Llanrumney High School class of 2013 and to everybody who has contributed across the decades of Llanrumney High School’s life: 1958 to 2013.

Llanrumney Labour Councillors Keith Jones, Heather Joyce, Derrick Morgan

The above letter was published in the South Wales Echo on 27th August 2013. 

WOMEN & AUSTERITY

Friday 19th July 2013 

MY childhood was dominated by the love and influence of two women: my mum and my gran.

Two strong Welsh females who, like so many Welsh mams, led our family. Newport East Labour MP Jessica Morden highlighted in the Commons this week the disproportionate impact of the UK Government’s austerity policies are having on Welsh women.

In Wales two thirds of the people who work in the public sector are women.

The relentless ideological drive by the Tories and the Liberal Democrats to shrink the public sector inevitably means in Wales women are those hit the hardest.

Add to this the pay gap that still exists between men and women. Freezing pay has resulted in the current full-time pay gap standing at a staggering 14.9%.

Both my mum and gran have passed on but what would they make of a situation in 2013 where decades after women’s liberation Welsh women are the worst affected by the policies of a cabinet of millionaires in Downing Street?

As a councillor serving my home city it is distressing to be voting through decisions that necessitate cuts to what Cardiff council can provide.

These invariably mean great uncertainty and worry for the dedicated public servants who are the council’s employees.

In Wales most part-time jobs are undertaken by women to make ends meet and to fit around child care arrangements.

Twenty-seven per cent of these part-time jobs are in the public sector and 85% of those are women.

In Cardiff the Labour Party recently selected two talented female candidates to stand in the 2015 General Election: Mari Williams in Cardiff North and Jo Stevens in Cardiff Central. Both are talented, progressive individuals who will ensure that the Labour Party will always stand up for Welsh women.

Wales is stronger when the talent and ability of all our citizens is allowed to flourish. My mum and my gran, like so many Welsh women, act as an inspiration to us all.

Councillor Keith Jones

Cardiff Labour Group Secretary

The above letter was published in the South Wales Echo & The Western Mail on 19th July 2013.