A WELSH Language Charter, Ceri Siarad, has been launched in all Welsh medium schools across Ceredigion.
The aim of the Charter is to give confidence to pupils to use the Welsh language in all aspects of their lives, in order to increase the use of the language outside of the classroom. The Charter follows on from the success of ‘Cymraeg Campus’ in English medium schools regionally.
Catrin Thomas, headmistress of Ysgol Gynradd Aberaeron primary school, highlighted the significance of what this new charter will mean to the school and its pupils.
She said: “We always welcome any opportunity to promote Welsh within our school and the community. The Welsh Language Charter gives us an excellent opportunity to do this in a positive and exciting way through celebrating our language and culture everyday and everywhere. A group of ‘CERI SIARAD’ pupils are busy organising fun events to encourage everyone to have the confidence to enjoy speaking the language socially.”
Schools will work towards bronze, silver and gold awards, which they will achieve depending on the opportunities they provide for pupils to use Welsh in formal and informal situations.
Barry Rees, Ceredigion County Council’s strategic director for learning and partnerships, explained the meaning behind the symbol of Ceri, chosen to represent the language charter in Ceredigion.
He said: “Ceri is a powerful symbol for us here in Ceredigion. Ceri is a Red Kite and the bird’s history is symbolic. We almost lost the dignified bird of our country at one time, but through the conservation projects, favourable conditions and hard labour of Ceredigion, the population of kites grew from two to over a thousand pairs. This is our aim with the Welsh language.
“We need to provide it with the right conditions to thrive, instil pride in our pupils and communities when using it and respond to our own personal challenge to use and promote the Welsh language with confidence whenever we can.”
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