Grŵp Llandrillo Menai celebrates staff commitment to the Welsh Language at annual awards ceremony

The annual awards recognise staff who have shown a commitment to learning Welsh, improving their language skills, and embedding the Welsh language into their everyday work.

Each year, a select few of staff members are also awarded ‘Welsh Champion of the Year’ - recognising them for their dedication to supporting others with their Welsh and promoting the Welsh language and culture within departments.

Staff members are nominated by their managers, with a panel then selecting the winners.

The panel was chaired by Gwenllian Roberts, Executive Director of Commercial Development, and included Aled Jones-Griffith, Grŵp Llandrillo Menai Chief Executive; Angharad Roberts, Director of Bilingual Development, Learning Resources and Skills; Meggan Prys, Professional Development Mentor; and Siân Pritchard, Sgiliaith, Bilingual Development and Equality Manager.

Work Welsh Learner of the Year - Management

Zoe Fox, Wellbeing Manager

Amy Thomson, Sports & Public Services Programme Area Manager

Welsh Champion of the Year

Gwyn-Arfon Williams, Worked-Based Learning Assessor

Rhodri Davies, Sports & Public Services Lecturer

Andrew Williams, Sports & Public Services Lecturer

Rhys Wyn Parry, Creative Arts Lecturer

Dylan Owen, Skills Lecturer

Teaching Staff

Rule Khasawneh, Lecturer in ESOL

Arfon Roberts, Engineering Lecturer

Lauren Thomas, Animal Care and Equine Lecturer

Rebecca King - Land Based Industries Lecturer

Emma McMillan - Management Lecturer

Work Based Learning Assessors Category

Elizabeth Wainwright

Support Staff

Bev Johns, Work Placement Administrative Assistant

Heather Evans, Information Systems Assistant

The winners were recognised in a ceremony at Coleg Llandrillo’s Rhos-on Sea campus, where they were congratulated by Gwenllian Roberts. She presented each winner with a framed certificate, a ‘Diolch’ mug from local homeware shop Adra based on Parc Glynllifon, and a bar of Melin Llynon’s chocolate, made on Anglesey.

Gwenllian said: “It’s a pleasure to be part of the awards process as we as a Grŵp take such pride in the efforts and dedication of our staff to use and improve their Welsh language skills on a practical level.

"As the main deliverer of bilingual provision in Further Education across Wales today not only affords us the opportunity to celebrate our incredible staff, it also allows us to spotlight our commitment to nurturing the next generation of Welsh speakers, ensuring that our learners have the skills and confidence to use Welsh in all aspects of their lives. From the classroom to the workplace, we strive to create a truly bilingual environment where the Welsh language is not just present, but celebrated.

“Although it isn't possible to reward all the candidates, it is important that we recognise the effort of everyone who came to our attention.

“I’d also like to encourage staff to continue to support the excellent efforts of our colleagues who are learning the language, and to make every effort to help these new Welsh speakers on their journey.

“Thank you very much for your respect for the Welsh language, and for your perseverance and desire to learn the language. We are all very grateful to you and extremely proud of you all.”

Angharad Roberts, Director of Bilingual Development, Learning Resources and Skills, said: "We are immensely proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our dedicated staff members. It’s wonderful to see the wide variety of individuals and roles of the people who are either learning Welsh, or who are going the extra mile to support Welsh speaking staff and learners in the college.

“Their passion for the language enriches the learning experience for both our staff and learners, contributing to the Government's ambition of reaching a million Welsh speakers by 2050. These awards are a testament to their hard work and unwavering enthusiasm, and we congratulate them wholeheartedly on this well-deserved recognition.”