The National Core Programme Quiz 2014

At the Copthorne Hotel Cardiff At 7.00pm on February 6th 2014

The National final of the All Wales Core Programme Quiz took place in the Copthorne Hotel, Cardiff. The four teams competing for the national trophy were the successful regional winners from each of the Welsh force areas:

• Caldicot Comprehensive School, Caldicot representing Gwent
• Dwryfelin Comprehensive School, Neath representing South Wales
• Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest representing Dyfed Powys
• Ysgol Y Creuddyn, Penrhyn Bay, representing North Wales

Each of these teams comprised of 5, year 8 pupils, who have devoted considerable time and effort in learning information about the three main themes of the Core Programme:

• Drug and Substance Misuse
• Social Behaviour and Community
• Personal Safety

During the quiz, hosted by Kevin Johns, from Swansea Sound Radio, the teams answered questions on, drugs and substances, antisocial behaviour, arson reduction, personal safety, road safety, health issues, ages in law and were also tested on their powers of observation. Tension mounted as the rounds progressed with all the teams only having a few points between them at the start of the final round. At the end of round six, everyone waited in anticipation for the final score to be announced. Kevin John then confirmed the winning school as Sir Thomas Picton School from Haverfordwest with an overall score of 62.

All the participants received a plaque and certificate presented by Mr Alun Michael, the Police and Crime Commissioner for South Wales. As an extra surprise and thank you for all the pupils’ hard work they were presented with an iTunes voucher and the winning school received a HP Laptop with software and case from G4S Group 4 Securicor.

As an extra treat the next day the teams were involved in a visit to Cardiff Gate Fire Service Training Centre and Techniquest, before travelling back to their home areas.

Linda Roberts, All Wales School Liaison Core Programme Co-ordinator said: "The success of this event is based on effective partnership. Therefore, I would like to thank the Fire and Rescue Service for their commitment as without their support, this event would not be possible. I would also like to thank our other partners in this venture who have contributed time and effort to make this evening a success, specifically, Healthy Schools, Road Safety Wales, the Welsh Internet Safety partnership WISP, Crime stoppers, and BRfm Ltd."

The team members of Sir Thomas Picton School, can be seen in the attached photo:
1. Ashwin Gunasekaran
2. Sophie Layton
3. Tom Long
4. Elizabeth Rowland
5. Euan Mc Sweenay

Also in the picture from left to right are:
1. Dyfed Powys Temporary Assistant Chief Constable Pam Kelly
2. Dyfed Powys Police Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Burton
3. Assistant Chief Fire Officer Chris Davies
4. Sir Thomas Picton Teacher Alyson Moules
5. Dyfed Powys Superintendent Chris Curtis
6. School Community Police Officer Jenny Thomas
7. Dyfed Powys Regional School Liaison Co-ordinator Bethan James

Teacher quotes
• Excellent! They worked well as a team
• They learnt a lot of different things that will help them in life.
• The pupil’s confidence and self esteem has been raised by involving parents, peers, police and teachers.
• Knowledge learnt for life
• Developed team work skills, revision techniques – lots of knowledge applicable to the PSE framework. Good fun!
• An experience to remember. Thank you very enjoyable.
• We involved the whole of year 8 through class competition then final selection.
• Increased knowledge of age limits which generated a lot of discussion in the classroom
• Enhances interaction with SCPO
• Enhanced pupils’ knowledge of a number of subjects
• Pupils are proud of their achievement and success
• Their confidence and self-esteem have been consolidated
• Parental feedback has been very positive
• They have absorbed a lot of important information and facts, and will be using these as part of our mentoring scheme to teach others.

Pupil quotes
• I learnt a lot about how to keep myself and others safe
• I learnt a lot about the subjects in the source material
• It was a great experience
• I feel like I have achieved something and am more knowledgeable
• I know more about the law
• I benefitted a lot and I want to join the police force when I’m older
• An education in the law
• I know what I should and shouldn’t do if someone takes drugs
• I really enjoyed it and learnt a lot
• I have learnt lots and gained confidence
• Learnt a lot about safety and drugs
• I enjoyed working as a team.
• I felt really good being asked to do something awesome like this
• I have learnt lots of important things
• It was fun!
• It was good to meet other people
• I hope to join the police force one day
• I have learnt how to keep safe and I’m proud to have been chosen.