A delegation of students from Church in Wales VA School Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi in Pembrokeshire have visited the Senedd, bringing with them a special message of peace to mark St. David’s Day.
Ahead of the day of celebration for Wales on March 1 - the students were joined by the Bishop of St. Davids, Rt Revd Dorrien Davies, to deliver the message to Wales’ First Minister, Mark Drakeford, who received it on behalf of the people of Wales.
Against the backdrop of major conflicts in regions like Ukraine, the Middle East and Africa, the significance of the St. David’s Day message was heightened, reflecting the suffering experienced by many across the globe.
The presentation took place amidst a preview of a significant exhibition by St. Davids artist Grahame Hurd-Wood, whose ongoing project involves capturing portraits of the entire community.
His exhibition acts as a precursor to a larger showcase set to be hosted by Eluned Morgan MS on the Senedd estate next year.
Ysgol Penrhyn Dewi’s Headteacher Mrs. Rachael Thomas, Rev Canon Leigh Richardson, and Arts Council of Wales Chief Executive, Dafydd Rhys, joined year 10 and 11 pupils Osian Millichip, Lily Hayes, Piotr Modrzynski and Masha Shmalii as they presented their messages and recited the Lord’s Prayer in Welsh, English, Ukrainian, and Polish, symbolising unity and solidarity across borders and languages.
In a poignant moment, a Ukrainian student stepped forward to present the First Minister with her country's flag, symbolising her connection to the ongoing conflict, sharing that her grandfather is currently serving on the front line, adding a sobering reminder of the human toll of such conflicts.
Mrs. Thomas also conveyed a heartfelt message from Penrhyn Dewi’s partner school in Lesotho, emphasising the universal yearning for peace and solidarity, transcending continents.
Reflecting on the occasion, Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales, Eluned Morgan expressed her pride in welcoming the students to the Senedd, stating: “As we commemorate St. David's Day, these remarkable students exemplified the spirit of peace and unity that our nation holds dear - their words resonated deeply and inspired us all.
“I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Rt Revd Davies for his support and to all those who contributed to making this a profound celebration of our shared values – it was truly a privilege to host this event.”
Grahame Hurd-Wood’s exhibition ‘City of Portraits’ will be available to view at the Senedd for the next two weeks.