END OF YEAR CONCERT

05 August 2005

I Was privileged to watch the end-of-year summer concert at Dylan Thomas Community School. The drama presentations were moving and of high quality. The songs were composed by the pupils using their new musical equipment suite, something no other school in Swansea has. The next year 10 and 11 will be able to use this new equipment for their applied GCSE (double award) in performing arts.

The clarinet and trombone soloists were of a very high standard and the group of guitarists was a real treat to hear - all from year eight and nine, they must have used the lunchtime music clubs to attain their high standard.

Not only was the evening's show truly entertaining, but it was pretty unique in that the performances included staff members. That didn't seem out of place, it was a fully inclusive, community-spirited show.

I don't think we could have had a better evening's entertainment if we had gone to the Grand.But what impressed me most were the gestures of encouragement by all the performers to the obviously more nervous members. It gave out a message of care and thoughtfulness by the pupils, something that is missing in some communities.

How can Swansea Council close this school? It is obviously ignorant of the special ethos the school holds.

Mrs D Perdue, Geiriol Road, Townhill, Swansea