Blue Flash
Pupils at Deighton Primary have been hard at work building an innovative, working car to develop their engineering and design skills. Named Blue Flash after their blue uniforms, the electric motor car was built with a kit from Greenpower, a project aimed at inspiring 9-11 year olds to take an interest in engineering in a fun and innovative way. The build was sponsored by Ron Skinners who helped to finance the project as well as providing the mechanics who helped the children build the car.
While building the car, the children learnt about friction, electricity, materials, ICT, maths and design & technology. The students will race the car at an event organised by Greenpower in Miskin Business Park on Saturday 24th June.
Head teacher Mike Gough said:
“It’s fantastic to see what the children can do when they are given the opportunity. Seeing the pupils build a car and seeing the excitement in the children when they discover what they are capable of doing is infectious. Their behaviour and attendance has improved since being involved in this project and the other skills they have developed have been manifest in the classroom.”
Teacher of the Year
Lynsey Wangiel has won the Professional Teaching Award Cymru. This prestigious award is in its first year and was introduced by the Cabinet Secretary for Education in Wales to recognise the best in schools across the country and to celebrate the commitment, dedication and inspiration of the teaching profession in Wales. Lynsey Wangiel was presented with a bespoke Griffith Jones award at an event in Cardiff City Hall on Sunday 7th May. Lynsey Wangiel, a native of Tredegar, teaches years 1 and 2 and is the deputy head teacher at Deighton Primary.
Lynsey said:
“I am delighted on a personal level to win this award. Deighton Primary School is such a special place with such special boys and girls and this award reflects the hard work of everyone at the school. There are so many exciting developments happening at Deighton that I look forward to continuing with our work and improving standards for our children. The award has been good for me, personally, but also for the school, the town and Blaenau Gwent.”
Community Allotment
The school is also working with the local community and has officially opened its community allotment. The allotment was created by the Friends of Deighton with the intention of creating something that everyone can participate in, from the younger children who can help water the plants, to the older children who will be creating an environmentally friendly bottle greenhouse. After school groups will contribute as well. There are even raised beds so that students in wheelchairs can take part in growing vegetables.
A spokesperson from Deighton said:
“Growing vegetables is a great way to teach children about nature, and they love it. This allotment has been created for everyone to enjoy and as the seasons go by we can’t wait to literally enjoy the fruits of our labours.”