Theatr na nÓg’s production inspires school children to compete for creative learning award in memory of local school advisor.
“The theatre makers of the future are here, and we have to nurture and celebrate them.”
On the 28th of February, at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea, the Carolyn Davies Creative Learning Award 2024 was presented to St Thomas Community Primary School. The award recognises the creative project or activities ignited by a trip to a Theatr na nÓg performance. The award ceremony, sponsored by accountancy firm Carr Jenkins & Hood, was attended by three schools shortlisted for the prize: Blaenymaes Primary School, St David’s Catholic Primary School and St Thomas Community Primary School.
Theatr na nÓg established the Carolyn Davies Creative Learning Award in 2018 and this year is the fourth time the competition has been held. The award commemorates arts adviser, teacher, and former chair of Theatr na nÓg’s board, Carolyn Davies. Carolyn championed the importance of the arts and for it to be at the centre of young people’s learning in West Glamorgan. Her wish for schools to form strong links with the theatre company make this award a fitting tribute to honour her lifetime’s dedication to young people and the arts in South West Wales.
This year’s award centred around the Company’s production The Butterfly Hunter, which tells the true story of Welsh-born naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who is co-credited with the theory of evolution with Charles Darwin. Schools from all over South Wales spent the day with the Company seeing the show and participating in workshops at Swansea Museum and the National Waterfront Museum. In addition to the day’s activities, children also participated in computer science workshops delivered in their classroom by Technocamps.
All who came to see the show were given the chance to enter by submitting a video showcasing their creative activities embedding the show into their learning.
Mr Carl Farrant, Year 6 Teacher at winning school St Thomas, said 'St Thomas Community Primary School has been a constant supporter of Theatr na nÓg for many years. The quality and professionalism of the productions are immense and they certainly provide such a valuable opportunity for our learners. Because of the phenomenal quality, we decided to organise our curriculum around the show centring on all areas of learning. The work produced by the children was amazing which we wanted to celebrate by entering the Carolyn Davies Creative Learning Award competition. This was a way of thanking everyone and Theatr na nÓg by showcasing the fantastic impact that their shows have on learners.'
Previous winners are Creunant Primary School in 2019, Cwmafan Primary in 2020, and most recently Blaenymaes Primary in 2023.
The judges this year were Carolyn Davies’ close friend and former colleague Sandra Morgan, Stuart Harries from Carr Jenkins & Hood, Phil Treseder from Swansea Museum, Luke Clement from Technocamps, and Steph Mastoris and Leisa Williams from the National Waterfront Museum who hosted the Ceremony.
Explaining why Carr Jenkins & Hood continue to sponsor the award, Director Stuart Harries said ‘We have had a longstanding relationship with Theatr na nÓg for over 30 years. It is nice that we can support children in schools in the local community through a fantastic organisation such as Theatr na nÓg.’
The winning school, St Thomas Community Primary receives the Carolyn Davies Award Trophy, £250 prize money donated from sponsors Carr Jenkins & Hood, as well as free day of workshops at Swansea University with Technocamps, and workshops at Big Pit kindly donated by Amgueddfa Cymru. Runners up, Blaenymaes Primary School and St David’s Catholic Primary School will receive £150 and £100, respectively.
Schools wishing to compete for the 2025 Carolyn Davies Creative Learning Award should visit Theatr na nÓg’s new production, The Fight, in the Autumn and submit a video showcasing their creative project.
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