Village school to celebrate 150th anniversary

Pupils, parents and staff will come together at a marquee event later this month to celebrate the 150^th anniversary of one of Carmarthenshire’s best-known primary schools.

Ysgol Bancyfelin – which was built in 1872 and boasts an alumni including current Welsh rugby union players Jonathan and James Davies, and former internationals Mike Phillips and Delme Thomas – will hold a series of activities to mark the occasion. There will be an open day at the school on Saturday April 30^th, followed by a social evening at the hall where past staff, pupils and friends of the school will have an opportunity to visit their school and catch up with old friends.

Trefina Jones, Headteacher at Ysgol Bancyfelin, which is part of a new federation which includes nearby Ysgol Llansteffan and Ysgol Llangain, said: “This will be a wonderful opportunity to celebrate 150 years of education in the village of Bancyfelin, and after two years of restrictions it will be great for the people of the community and past pupils to meet up together to reminisce about their memories of life in Ysgol Bancyfelin.

There will be displays of old photographs and the unveiling of a new work of art produced by the current pupils under the guidance of Louise Jones Art. 

As we celebrate the special anniversary of Ysgol Bancyfelin, as the present head teacher of the school, I look back with pride at the achievements of everybody that has been involved with the school, both staff and pupils. We are proud of all achievements, be it on the international sports field, in glittering careers or serving the local community, be that of those that have stayed in the locality of Bancyfelin or those who have moved to other villages, towns or indeed across the world. 

We now look on with optimism and hope that the school will flourish in the future and keep providing the best education possible for the young people of the area for years to come.”

Carwen Earles, Chair of Governors of Ffederasiwn Ysgolion Bancyfelin, Llangain a Llansteffan said: “Education is a joint venture involving everyone – children, parents, teachers and staff, governors and the wider community. Through these partnerships Bancyfelin primary school aims to provide the best possible experience for the children. This celebration of 150 years offers us a time to reflect on past achievements and look forward to a happy and successful future.”