2024 has seen Ysgol Casblaidd/Wolfscastle CP School in Pembrokeshire reach the fine age of 190 years old - with students focusing their learning this term about what life would have been like in school during the years after the Pembrokeshire school opened its doors for the first time.

The children of Ysgol Casblaidd (or St Dogwells school as it was known when it first opened) have been fascinated by the differences and some similarities between school life now and then. It’s safe to say that the children are very glad that they are pupils in the school now rather than in 1834!

The highlights of the learning on this theme have been The Victorian Day when Ysgol Casblaidd travelled back in time to 1841. This day gave the children an authentic learning experience of what a school day would have looked like during The Victorian era.

Rev Richard Davies was the Headmaster for the day and all staff and pupils wore Victorian outfits. ‘Miss Borrowdale of Hook Manor and Susie the dog’ paid a visit during the day to help the children practice their English reading. Lessons were taken in silence.

Times tables were chanted and children were seen and not heard! Lunch of cawl, bread and cheese was eaten in the classroom and playtimes were filled with hopscotch and tag. The afternoon saw the boys take part in ‘Drills’ during a PE lesson and the girls learned to sew.

The children played their roles brilliantly. The children have described this day as ‘bythgofiadwy’. A day that they will never forget.

The next part of the celebrations was our Harvest Service where this year we gave thanks for Ysgol Casblaidd and its community.

Pen y Bont Chapel was full and the children performed well as they sang, read and acted sketches from the past. Children played the parts of William Tucker Edwards and Miss Borrowdale and Mr Carwyn Davies played a fine part as the Headteacher Mr William Williams or as he was known at the time Billy Twice.

The children have also taken the Sunday Service at Pen y Bont Chapel using this material.

Saturday, October 19 saw Ysgol Casblaidd full to the rafters of pupils past and present, families past and present, members of the community, former teachers, headteachers and governors as we opened the school for the morning.

This was an excellent opportunity to share memories and stories going back years! Tea, coffee, cake and laughing aplenty filled the morning. Mrs Harries gave a few words as she is now the eldest member of the community that attended Ysgol Casblaidd.

The celebrations didn’t stop there we welcomed the Artist Rhys Padarn Jones of Orielodl to school on October 22. The children worked with Rhys Padarn Jones to plan and create a mural for the school that captured the schools history but also had a modern twist. The children also designed a commemorative tea towel.

The very busy half term ended with a whole school community trip to St Fagans.

All children, families and staff spent a very enjoyable day together at the museum and the children had a lesson at the Victorian school there.

The PFA organised an Ysgol Casblaidd Birthday Disco at Letterston Memorial Hall where there was birthday cake and Penblwydd Hapus Ysgol Casblaidd was sung numerous times!

As 2024 draws to a close the school will be planting a tree for each pupil to mark this very special occasion.

Penblwydd Hapus Ysgol Casblaidd yn 190 oed!