Rhianon Passmore: ...statement. One of the driving forces entering active politics was seeking to tackle the scourge and impacts of poverty, providing equality of opportunity for all, not based on parental wealth, in education and the arts. There's little doubt that education is one of the most profound tools that we can equip citizens with in order to best safeguard them against experiencing poverty. But it...
Rhianon Passmore: As a former teacher, lecturer and council cabinet member for education and consortia chair, I have immersed myself for many years in the educational challenges that face our practitioners every day, day in, day out, but never in more challenging economic and social circumstances. Teachers, as well as us, face the deepest UK inequality since records began, as our schools tackle poverty on the...
Rhianon Passmore: ...The advertising of gambling is now all-persuasive, and its reach is even seen on gaming platforms, which is worrying for future generations. Public Health Wales have stated that they believe early education on problem gambling is urgently needed. There is clearly a tangible link between gaming and gambling. Public Health Wales have called for a system-wide approach that knocks down the...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you for that response, Minister. Markham Primary School sits in the constituency of Islwyn, built over 110 years ago in 1913, serving the local community. It's a green but not a leafy suburb. Will you join me in congratulating Markham's headteacher, Mrs Lindsey Pritchard, her staff, governors and pupils for a glowing report from Estyn that extolled praise on the school in its recent...
Rhianon Passmore: 4. What action is the Welsh Government taking to raise educational standards in Islwyn? OQ59097
Rhianon Passmore: ...economic activity. One such area of Welsh Government activity has been in the creative arts. Executives of Netflix last week told the Welsh Affairs Select Committee that their shows, such as Sex Education, which saw filming in Newbridge town centre and across Gwent, contributed £200 million to the Welsh economy over the last five years. What other imaginative avenues, Trefnydd, are open...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you. Yes, I will. No children should go hungry. Minister, what assessment has the Welsh Labour Government made of the positive impact that the delivery of a nutritious school meal for all primary school pupils in Islwyn will have on educational outcomes and the well-being of Wales's youngest children? Thank you.
Rhianon Passmore: Diolch, Deputy Llywydd. I very much welcome the statement from the Welsh Labour Government's education Cabinet member, and the further new additional investment for the extended school holiday period, so thank you very much. It is good news that the Welsh Labour Government is delivering on its programme for government in maximising fairness for all and eliminating inequality, and it is a...
Rhianon Passmore: ...this statement today, the enthusiasm across the Chamber for the new curriculum, the innovation behind the areas of learning, and the honest recognition that change means challenge within our schools. My question very simply, really, is, within your statement, pertaining to the role of the education regional consortia in supporting excellence within our professional teaching and education...
Rhianon Passmore: —and comments, but my question, really, is: surely, empowering communities is about having the funding within those communities so that we have libraries and leisure centres and vibrant schools, and would you say that the austerity agenda, deliberate cuts to Wales, has diminished that capacity?
Rhianon Passmore: ...and that a new cultural renaissance in Wales can happen, that we can and will strengthen our musical and cultural scene and also our economy, most importantly through our funded access to music education, a priority for our future generations. There is a new vision for Wales. The strengthening of our music education is important to rebuild and support the well-being of our young people...
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you for that, First Minister. I am proud, however, that our Welsh Labour Government has rightly committed to delivering free school meals to all primary school children in Wales. A recent letter to the UK Government from teaching unions set out the benefits provided by free school meals, and it said: 'Every school day we see the benefits free school meals provide to those currently...
Rhianon Passmore: 6. How is the Welsh Government supporting parents of primary school pupils in Islwyn with the cost of the school day? OQ58190
Rhianon Passmore: Thank you, First Minister. The Welsh Labour Government's avowed commitment to ensure at least 90 per cent of 16 to 24-year-olds will be in education, employment or training by 2050 is a hallmark of the progressive agenda of this socialist Welsh Labour Government. First Minister, when I speak to my constituents, whether they be a grandmother in Crumlin, a father in Cwmcarn or a young person...
Rhianon Passmore: ...additional £100 million targeted at mental health, supporting the social care sector with additional funding to local authorities to meet the additional costs of the real living wage, investing in education with an additional £320 million to the end of term to continue education reform and support across Wales. And it is right that the Welsh Government and our economy Minister are...
Rhianon Passmore: Will the Minister provide an update on what community facilities are available in Islwyn as a result of the 21st century schools programme?
Rhianon Passmore: ...NHS and an additional £0.75 billion to our hard-working local authorities in the local government settlement. With a strong collaborative approach in our policy and a strong budget investment in education, transport and climate, with fairer, greener, nature-based solutions, a made-in-Wales approach for—
Rhianon Passmore: ..., 'Why get the booster shot after two doses?', is it not correct that the booster will increase immunity levels to over 70 per cent, and, as one correspondent put it, the first dose is the primary school education for your body, the second dose is comparable to sending your body to secondary school, and the booster is akin to university, deepening and broadening our body's own ability to...
Rhianon Passmore: ...co-operation outlined. I was delighted that you referenced that the Welsh Labour Government promised in the election campaign to create a new national music service. So, it was pleasing to see the education Minister confirm that £6.8 million will be made available for creative arts learning in the curriculum, and music in part, giving students better access to musical instruments. And I...
Rhianon Passmore: ...support across the Chamber on this vital issue. Last Saturday, I was honoured to participate in the Incorporated Society of Musicians conference where I represented the Senedd to discuss music education across the devolved nations. Indeed, we are renowned internationally as the land of bards and brass bands, choirs and choral societies, a land of song, old and new, diverse and traditional,...
