Ysgol Wledig yn creu hanes – Ymgyrch Genedlaethol ar fin cychwyn

Mae rhieni Ysgol Gymunedol Hermon , Sir Benfro, Gorllewin Cymru ar fin creu hanes. Derbyniwyd cefnogaeth bargyfreithiwr o Lundain yn yr achos i gadw’r ysgol ar agor ac, yn ôl barn arbenigol, mae achos cyfreithiol Ysgol Hermon o bosib yn un o’r rhai cryfaf a ddygwyd erioed yn erbyn cyngor sir yn y Deyrnas Unedig. Mae’r safonau addysgol a’r sefyllfa ariannol yn arbennig o dda a rhifau’r disgyblion yn argoeli’n addawol iawn ar gyfer y blynyddoedd nesaf. Er hyn, bwriad Cyngor Sir Penfro yw cau’r ysgol bentref hon sy’n galon i’r gymuned Gymreig yn Hermon.

Mae’r gymuned wedi ariannu’r ymgyrch hyd yn hyn gan dalu costau’r cyfreithiwr a’r bargyfreithiwr. Bu’r cyfreithiwr yn feirniadol iawn o ddulliau’r Cyngor Sir i gau’r ysgol boblogaidd hon, sydd ar ei thyfiant ers blynyddoedd bellach. Dyma ysgol a fydd yn llawn yn ystod y bedair mlynedd nesaf yn ôl rhagolygon rhifau’r disgyblion. Tactegau creulon diweddaraf y Cyngor Sir yw gwrthod derbyn plant i’r ysgol er mwyn cadw’r rhifau’r ysgol yn ymddangosiadol is. Mae Eleri Parcell, sy’n byw nepell o’r ysgol, yn methu ymuno â’i chwaer fawr, Sadie, sy’n naw mlwydd oed, a gweddill ei ffrindiau am fod y Cyngor Sir yn gwrthod mynediad iddi i Ysgol Hermon ar ôl y Nadolig. Mae’r tactegau annheg hyn yn warthus a bwriad y fam, Janet Parcell, yw brwydro hyd yr eithaf er mwyn sicrhau blwyddyn newydd llawen a llewyrchus i’w merch fach yn 2004.

Yn dilyn cyfarfod nos Fawrth, Rhagfyr 2ail o rieni a ffrindiau Ysgol Hermon, penderfynwyd yn unfrydol  lawnsio ymgyrch genedlaethol er mwyn ariannu’r costau cyfreithiol a all godi i ddegoedd o filoedd o bunnau wrth i’r ysgol fach hon ymladd y Cyngor Sir yn yr uchel lys. Rai misoedd yn ôl, derbyniodd y rhieni gymorth cyfreithiol i frwydro’u hachos. Bwriad pawb yw parhau â’r frwydr hon sy’n tanlinellu’r anhegwch cymdeithasol sy’n bodoli oddi fewn i ogledd y sir. Dywedodd Nerys Nicholas, Cadeirydd y Bwrdd Llywodraethol “Rhaid gweld democratiaeth ar waith yn ein cymuned. Brwydr Dafydd yn erbyn Goleiath fydd hon ond mae’n reidrwydd arnom i geisio cywiro’r anghysonderau sy’n bodoli oddi fewn i’r system ar hyn o bryd. Rhaid i lais yr unigolyn gael ei glywed.” Ychwanegodd Nerys Nicholas, sy’n fam i ddwy o ferched yn yr ysgol, “Byddwn yn cysylltu ag ysgolion cynradd ac uwchradd ledled y wlad ac yn gofyn i’r undebau cenedlaethol am eu cymorth ariannol. Mae’r achos hwn yn hanesyddol bwysig ac arwyddocaol. Gall ddylanwadu ar nifer o ardaloedd eraill ar hyd a lled y wlad. Nid ydym am blygu dan orthrwm  pŵerau a nerthoedd y Cyngor Sir yn y mater hwn!”

Os oes gennych ddiddordeb mewn cefnogi’r ymgyrch, ymwelwch â’n gwefan sef www.hermonglog.org.uk  Cyfrannwch yn uniongyrchol i’n cyfrif banc neu anfonwch gyfraniadau drwy’r post at Ysgol Hermon, Sir Benfro SA36 ODT. Rhiad cyflwyno’r achos yn yr uchel lys erbyn Rhagfyr 15fed 2003 felly rhaid derbyn y cyfraniadau os yn bosib erbyn Rhagfyr 12fed.  Wrth gwrs, os fydd yr ysgol yn llwyddo yn yr achos, ad-delir yr holl gyfraniadau i’r unigolion a’r cymdeithasau a fydd wedi cyfrannu a chefnogi’r achos.

Cadeirydd y Llywodraethwyr – Nerys Nicholas – 01239831701 / 07766545383

Cydlynydd yr Ymgyrch – Cris Tomos – 01239831962 / 07974099738

Cyfreithiwr yr achos – Michael Imperato – 02920 262811

Mae criwiau ffilmio wedi datgan diddordeb yn barod mewn darlledu’r achos yn yr Uchel Lys ar Ragfyr y 15fed – cyfle gwych arall i godi proffeil cenedlaethol yr ymgyrch hon.

Rural School makes legal history – National Campaign now begins!

The determined parents of Hermon Primary School, Pembrokeshire in West Wales are on the verge of creating legal history. An independent London based Barrister has endorsed the case of Hermon School, where expert advise confirms the case as probably being one of the strongest legal cases being brought against a county council in the United Kingdom. The education standards, financial situation and pupil numbers at the school are at an all time best. Yet, the County Council of Pembrokeshire is determined to close this thriving community school at the heart of the Welsh speaking Pembrokeshire village.

The community has funded the campaign so far, paying the fees of a Solicitor an expert Barrister to give their independent opinion of the situation. The Barrister has been highly critical of the County Council’s manipulative methods to close this popular school, which is set to be full to capacity for the next 4 years. Recent underhand tactics by the County Council in blocking new children from entering the school has demonstrated the depths to which the local educational authority are will go to, one little girl by the name of Eleri Parcell who lives only a few hundred yards from the school is being blocked from entry and stopped from joining her elder sister and friends at the Hermon school, with the County Council informing the family that they have the option of transferring Eleri to other primary schools. Eleri’s mother is pursuing all avenues of appeal and complaints.

Following a meeting of the parents and the friends of the school on Tuesday evening, 02/12/03, a unanimous decision was made to launch a national campaign to fund the additional tens of thousands of pounds required to underwrite the legal costs of taking the County Council to the high court for a judicial review. The parents initially received legal aid to start the ball rolling and parents are now determined to address this social injustice placed upon their community and future education of their children. Nerys Nicholas Chair of the Governing Body said “We wish to see democracy at work in our community.”  Also stating, “ This will be a David and Goliath fight but the system needs to be corrected to allow the voice of the people and parents to be heard.” Nerys who has two daughters at the school added “We are now writing to all primary schools across the UK and National Unions to seek financial support”, “Our case will be a test case and influence many such future cases in all areas of the country, the fact that Pembrokeshire County Council can pour vast amounts of money into bulling communities into accepting their short term whims will now be tested by our small community fighting back with the help of people from across the whole of the UK”

Any one interested in supporting the school’ campaign can visit our community website on  www.hermonglog.org.uk and donate directly into the community bank account or send donations by post to Hermon School, Pembs, SA36 0DT. The case was lodged with the High Court by Monday 15th December 2003 hence all donations have to be received as soon as possible. It is important to note that when the Judicial Review verdict is secured and the school saved from closure the costs of the case will be bourn by the County Council and all donations will be returned to the individuals who have contributed in ensuring that local democracy prevails.

School Governors Contact :Nerys Nicholas  - Contact Number 01239 831701 or 07766 545383

School Campaign Co-ordinator: Cris Tomos – Contact Number 01239 831962 or 07974 099738

Legal Contact: Michael Imperato Solicitor – Contact 02920 262811

Several Film Crews have noted that the wish to film the lodging of the Judicial Review Papers in the High Court on the 15/12/03 – Again this will be a opportunity to broadcast our National Appeal for individuals to underwrite our possible future legal costs.

Ffurflen Cyfrannu  / Donation Form

Danfonwch arian, neu siec allan i: / Please enclose cash or make cheque payable to:

Ymgyrch Gendlaethol Ysgol Hermon

Or

Hermon School National Campaign

Please return the form to Cris Tomos – Pantyrysgol Hermon as soon as possible– Diolch

(All donations will be recorded in the strictest confidence)

PLEASE COPY THIS FORM TO AS WIDER A CIRCULATION AS POSSIBLE