A brand new exercise facility has been opened at Overmonnow School, thanks to the support of three local businesses, and the school’s active PTFA group.

Caroline Thomas-Layne and Claire Townsend, co-chairs of the PTFA welcomed everyone and thanked the businesses for their support this year “with your very generous sponsorship which has led to this installation of outdoor equipment.

Caroline said that this event also marks a special milestone in the charity’s history. “The PTFA of Overmonnow Primary School (OPS) is celebrating 30 years as a registered charity with the charity commission.

“We are pleased to say the group is still going strong and we are hoping that in our 30th year we will have the biggest fundraising total that we have had for the last five years.

“As a charity, our main aim is to enhance the education of all pupils at Overmonnow Primary School and to support, where we can, the funding that the school requires,” she added.

Malcolm Jones, Director from Robert Price Builders Merchants has had a long association with the area. “This school has been really close to my heart,” said Malcolm.

“When the Special Needs Unit was set up, Chris Lewis didn’t have any money to buy the kit and I was in Rotary then which is how I got to hear about it and it’s also Robert Price’s adopted charity in Monmouth as well so I’ve had an interest in it ever since: The more we can do the better!”

Deb Jones, Plant Manager from Tri-Wall UK, said that she had her very first summer term at this school when it opened “and I remember having to take our shoes off to go in and put our slippers on to go to lessons and since then, my children have been here and now I have grandchildren here”.

Tracey Vaughn, representative from Precision Engineering Limited added that she always had children at the school “and now I has a grandchild in year one”.

Caroline went on to say that in May last year parents/carers received a letter from The Monmouthshire Association of Primary School Headteachers outlining the budget cuts school would be facing and the devastating impact this would have, leaving nearly all schools in a critical situation.

But with the sponsorship from the three main businesses, the PTFA were able to put on a huge fundraising event in the autumn term which enabled them to raise the money for the exercise equipment.

“We are now looking forward to our next big event on Wednesday 14th May, the National Festival Circus,” she added.

The latest statistics from The Youth Sport Trust found that only 47 per cent of children aged between 5 and 18 are meeting daily activity guidelines and just 19 percent of children under 5!

“We know that physical development boosts, focus, reduces stress and supports brain development. unhappy, unhealthy children can not learn effectively-regular movement changes everything,” said Caroline.

She then handed over to the Overmonnow Sports Ambassadors to officially cut the ribbon.