Pupils and staff from Magor CIW Primary School are celebrating a huge achievement today. They have been officially awarded the prestigious 'Gwobr Arian' (Silver Award) for Cymraeg Campus / Siarter Iaith, marking a massive milestone in their journey to weave the Welsh language into the very fabric of school life. While the initial Bronze Award introduces foundational habits, capturing the Silver Award requires a school to deeply embed a vibrant Welsh-speaking ethos across the entire community, transforming the language into a natural, highly visible part of daily culture.

To secure this coveted status, Magor CIW Primary had to successfully meet ten rigorous targets, proving that pupils are using Welsh with growing confidence not just during formal lessons, but across various subjects and socially on the playground. A driving force behind the success was the school's student-led Criw Cymraeg, who took full ownership of the campaign by planning initiatives. The school also boasts a talented Welsh choir who have fared exceptionally well in national competitions, further showcasing their cultural pride.

A key element of their success has been developing a strong sense of Cynefin (belonging) through engaging cultural events. This has included inspiring creative workshops with renowned Welsh artist Rhiannon Roberts and exciting interactive visits from the Gwent Music Service, both of which have helped pupils connect deeply with their local heritage and Welsh identity.

The prestigious award has been driven forward by the passion of Welsh-speaking teacher Ceri Burgis alongside Nadine Phillips, who recently completed a Welsh language sabbatical. Supported by the immense dedication of all staff members, who have worked incredibly hard to bring this vision to life, the school's commitment was verified by external coordinators who observed the children speaking the language authentically and proudly.