Following a School Ambassadors pilot scheme last year the Coleg Cymraeg has expanded the scheme to appoint more ambassadors this year in secondary schools across Wales to help promote the benefits of Welsh-medium education.
The 18 ambassadors from years 12 and 13 who are part of this year's pilot are based in ten secondary schools across Wales. They will begin their work this month. Their main role as ambassadors will be to raise awareness of the benefits of Welsh-medium university education among their fellow pupils. They will encourage them to join the Coleg and apply for scholarships, be proactive on social media and share important messages for the Coleg.
Elin Williams, Marketing Manager at the Coleg Cymraeg said:
“We look forward to working with ambassadors who are passionate about the Welsh language who will inspire their peers at school to continue their education through the medium of Welsh at university and beyond.”
The Coleg will work with pupils from Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Ysgol Dyffryn Conwy, Ysgol David Hughes, Ysgol Bro Teifi, Ysgol Gyfun Gymunedol Penweddig, Ysgol Bro Gyfun Gymraeg Bro Myrddin, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryntawe, Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Plasmawr, Ysgol Gymraeg Bro Morgannwg ac Ysgol Gyfun Gwynllyw.
Loti Glyn, an ambassador from Ysgol Gwynllyw said:
“I applied to be a School Ambassador for the Coleg Cymraeg as I wanted to promote the opportunity to study in Welsh to the pupils of my school. My school is located in south-east Wales with many pupils coming from non-Welsh speaking homes. It would give me and my fellow pupils the opportunity not only to study in Welsh but also to show how living in a Welsh society can have a long-term impact on how someone chooses to live their life."
And Tesni Hughes, an ambassador at Ysgol David Hughes said:
"I feel strongly that young Welsh-speakers should be able to do their university courses through the medium of Welsh and have the same opportunities as non-Welsh speakers. I feel that speaking Welsh has opened so many doors for me and can open so many doors for many others too. ”
The Coleg has appointed up to three ambassadors from each school to take on the role of Coleg Cymraeg Ambassador for the 2021/2022 academic year.