Ysgol Calon Cymru Design and Technology students created and sold more than 100 products at the Royal Welsh Showground this year - one of which was a brooch worn by Prime Minister Theresa May during her visit to the Winter Fair.
It follows a bumper year for the department which had the honour of designing the crown for the Brecon and Radnorshire Urdd Eisteddfod and created the plaque that was unveiled by their Royal Highnesses The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during the official opening of Strand Hall in Builth Wells.
Sarah Cuthbertson, head of department, said it’s been an “unbelievable” year.
“For the Prime Minister to actually wear a brooch, it made me completely speechless! What a thing they can write on their CV!”
The whole project started with a visit from the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society (RWAS) chief executive Steve Hughson to see how funding from litter picking by pupils on Royal Welsh Show week has helped the department buy a new laser cutter, 3D printer and computer suite. Mr Hughson offered a further donation to the school to purchase its own pewter casting machine.
Ms Cuthbertson said: “I developed a project to trial with my Year 9 pupils to develop a business plan and products that could be sold in the RWAS shop using the new equipment that we had. Sarah James, RWAS business manager, came in to deliver a lesson about business and what products usually sell and to teach the pupils how to price the products to ensure a profit.
“The pupils worked solidly, and they were so enthusiastic to actually become designers with a marketable product, the product that we chose as a class that would be the most suitable was a range of pewter cast products. Within the range, there was a love spoon keyring, Welsh dragon magnet and a daffodil brooch.
“The class spent every Design and Technology lesson making the products from May until July with a few extra workshop days to ensure the quality finish of the products. The process of making the products involved casting the pewter into a mould, cutting the excess pewter, hand filing and polishing and finishing with a key ring, magnet or brooch. They even developed the packaging to ensure a quality end product. The pupils priced the products to ensure a profit which would be put back into the DT department for new equipment and help the ever-dwindling budget.”
During the Royal Welsh Show week Ysgol Calon Cymru pupils sold more than 100 of their products.
“They were very popular and sold really well. The pupils were really proud to see the products that they had made and kept visiting the shop to see how many were left! Nothing brings the subject to life more than having a live project that you can start from the very beginning right the way through to actually selling a product, an opportunity which is very rare.
“We are very lucky to have and be able to collaborate with such an awesome society such as the Royal Welsh, the possibilities are endless!
“Last year was my first year as the Head of the DT department at Builth Wells High School, and what a year it was! From the designing and making of the Eisteddfod Crown, to creating the opening plaque for the Strand Hall and meeting His Royal Highness Prince Charles to developing a range of products that sold out in the RWAS shop which was worn by the Prime Minister, Theresa May. Unbelievable year really! It goes to show that our pupils are talented beyond belief and I could not be prouder of each and every one of them!”
The Design and Technology Department and the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society are already in discussions about their next project.
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