Pupils talk about Grassroot issues (From Free Press Series)

Pupils talk about Grassroot issues

PUPILS from Trevethin school have put the future of their school and community at the top of their concerns.

The year nine pupils spent a week working with members of Grassroots - a touring dance theatre group from Zimbabwe. The five-strong group tours the country encouraging young people to explore relevant issues through theatre and dance. They arrived at Trevethin school on Monday, July 11.

The week culminated in a presentation to primary school pupils at Trevethin on Thursday and an outdoors event at Woodlands Field, Penygarn, on Friday.

Justine Price is head of year nine at Trevethin school. She co-ordinated the event which involved 80 pupils.

"They asked the pupils what issues they wanted to explore. The response was 'we don't want the school to close and we will not tolerate bullying'." Students Caitlin Bennett, Lyndsay Horlor and Kayleigh Blake said: "We felt it was important to get involved in this because it meant people had to think about what is happening in the world."

They said it was positive that the views of young people were being listened to.

"This was a fun way for us to put our views and beliefs across to other pupils and the community."

Other ideas explored included the spread of drugs in their community, the recent G8 summit, racism and HIV/Aids.