Your hard work really pays off
AUGUST is behind us, and what a busy summer it’s been on Anglesey. From Sioe Môn to Food Slams and festivals, from carnivals to last weekend’s Copperfest, there’s been plenty going on. Well done to everyone involved in organising the various events. Most of them are put on by volunteers, and we are grateful to you all.
Not only are these events good for brining our communities together, they’re also important additions to our offer to tourists, who are so important to the island’s economy.
I spent a few days at the start of August at the National Eisteddfod in Abergavenny. I had a wonderful time, and Anglesey competitors claimed many noted successes. Next year, though, it’ll be their home Eisteddfod, as one of Europe’s premier travelling cultural festivals comes to Ynys Môn for the first time since 1999. I can’t wait!
I know many of you will have helped with local fundraising events already, and I urge all of you to get involved in any way you can. It is a great honour to host the National Eisteddfod, so let’s enjoy the whole experience – the buildup, as well as the week itself. Thousands of pupils will get involved in various ways through their schools, but don’t let them have all the fun – get stuck in as parents and grandparents too!
Let me also use this opportunity to congratulate all those who’ve worked hard for great exam results this summer. From A-Levels to last Thursday’s GCSE results, Anglesey pupils have had plenty to celebrate. Hard work pays. Thanks to all the dedicated teachers who helped them, too.
I wish all the pupils well for the future. Success can take many forms, and we celebrate all equally. Some excelled with ‘A-stars’, but I also took great pleasure from meeting the young man with a beaming smile who had rolled up his sleeves and dug deep to get two Cs and now looks forward to further education and training.
Some will continue with academic studies - GCSE students going on to study for A-levels, or A-level students off to University - but we must give equal status to vocational options, which is why I’m a big supporter of increasing apprenticeship opportunities. As I say, success takes many forms. The common thread is hard work, determination, and realising one’s potential.