Nick Thomas-Symonds MP visited Croesyceiliog School and Maendy Primary in Cwmbran to celebrate UK Parliament Week, an annual event spreading the word about what Parliament is, what it does and how people can make a difference.
Taking place from 18-24 November, UK Parliament Week represents a great opportunity for people of all ages to get informed about how they can engage with the UK Parliament.
Whilst on his visit to Croesyceiliog School, Mr Thomas-Symonds held a Q&A session on the work of Parliament and MPs with the pupils from the School Senedd, student leadership team, debate club, and Welsh Society Criw Cymraeg. There was also an opportunity for pupils to discuss the Welsh Youth Parliament elections, with two pupils from Croesyceiliog School standing for election.
At Maendy Primary, the Torfaen MP discussed with pupils their ongoing projects on Cwmbran’s 75th anniversary as a New Town, their ideas on how communities can tackle the climate crisis, and the work MPs do both in Parliament and the constituency to address climate change.
Mrs Samantha Dickinson Lead of Faculty for LLC and Head of English said:
“We were thrilled when MP Nick Thomas-Symonds’ team got in touch with our school! This is the first year we’ve run UKPW in our English department and will definitely be running it again next year.
The activities, videos and virtual tours were really informative. Our pupils thoroughly enjoyed welcoming Nick into their lessons and our school. Pupils were able to ask Nick a range of questions from topics such as: mental health, cost of living crisis, relations with USA and Europe, quantitative easing, education investment, local area, void votes, inspiration and role models to fuel prices and advice for those hoping to go into a career in politics.
Nick was able to put all our students at ease, he was really open and patient with them answering questions. We look forward to UKPW next year and further opportunities to work with local politicians.”
Mr Morgan from Maendy Primary said:
“As part of a social action project last Summer, our Year 5 and 6 pupils wrote letters to their local MP to persuade the Council to consider the use of electric buses in Torfaen, rather than the current diesel-fuelled buses, as a method of tackling the climate crisis. With many pupils and their families living in Northville – in close proximity to the bus station / depot – this was an issue close to their hearts.
Our pupils were absolutely delighted to receive a personally-addressed response from Mr Thomas-Symonds. It made pupils realise that their voices could be heard, and that young people can have an important part to play in shaping the future.
Mr Thomas Symonds was kind enough to come and meet the pupils in person and discuss the issue, whilst attending a celebration of Cwmbran’s 75th anniversary that we were hosting at our school.”
Nick Thomas-Symonds said:
“As the MP for Torfaen, I’ve always made it a priority to visit local schools as it’s so important to speak to young people and hear their views and experiences.
UK Parliament Week offers a timely opportunity to encourage young people to keep people informed of the work MPs do, and the different ways they can get involved to enact change.
Thank you to both Croesyceiliog School and Maendy Primary for the invites to attend, it’s great to see so many young people take a huge interest in the work of UK Parliament and their local communities.”
