THE PRINCSS ROYAL flew into Pembrokeshire by royal helicopter on Friday (Oct14), to visit Havard Stables in Dinas Cross first thing in the morning, to officially open Haverfordwest High School in the middle of the day, and then it was off to the World Rowing Coastal Championships Beach Sprints in Saundersfoot.
The Herald was at the school for the visit.
Accompanied by headteacher Jane Harries, Princess Anne met the Chief Executive of Pembrokeshire County Council Will Bramble, Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language Cllr Guy Woodham and other dignitaries before taking a look around the school, including visiting the sixth form area where Her Royal Highness spent time talking with pupils, including taking time to chat with head boy Niall Griffiths and head girls Lucy Ashton and Aimee Pettit.
She was then shown round the new school visiting classrooms, the library, the sixth form super room.
In a service in the main hall, Her Royal Highness was treated to fantastic music performed by the school choir. Speeches were made, and after unveiling the plaque to a round of applause, she was presented with a painting by art teacher Chris Prosser.
Hearing how the project was delivered ahead of schedule and on budget during the Covid-19 pandemic, a ‘miraculous achievement’ is how Her Royal Highness Princess Anne described Haverfordwest High VC as she closed the proceedings in the hall.
Princess Anne added: “To get it right for everybody in a school of this size hovers on the miraculous,”
“I hope everyone will be pleased with the extraordinary facilities you have here and make the best possible use of them. I am so delighted today to join you in celebrating its opening.”
Later at the second official opening of the day, this time the sports hall Cllr Paul Miller, Member for Development said: “We are really serious about the future of sport in our county and this is an exciting time for everyone”
“The school should be very proud for organising such a wonderful event, which went like clockwork, and the children were fantastic.”
Following the tour, the opening ceremony took place in the hall, where The Princess Royal was formally welcomed by Councillor Guy Woodham, Cabinet Member for Education and the Welsh Language.
Cllr Woodham said: “We are indebted to so many people for their part in creating such a wonderful and inspiring school. I know we are all incredibly proud of what has been achieved.
“With its outstanding facilities together with the unrivalled dedication, care and encouragement of its teachers and school staff, Haverfordwest High VC School provides an inspirational environment where pupils can achieve excellence together.”
The school choir then gave a wonderful performance of Singabahambayo Thina, before Chair of Governors Paul Lucas gave the vote of thanks.
“Ma’am, we take this opportunity to offer you and the Royal Family our sincere condolences following the loss of our former sovereign Queen Elizabeth, and thank you for formally opening this wonderful school and leisure complex,” he said.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of gifts by former head prefects Caitlin Arran, Isla Davies and Anna Long. The gifts comprised a commissioned painting by Art Teacher Christopher Prosser of Watwick Bay in Pembrokeshire – the location was chosen as Her Royal Highness visited the beach with her family as a child – and a book of condolence from the pupils and staff following the death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Following the visit, Headteacher Mrs Harries said the whole school had been delighted to welcome The Princess Royal.
“It was an honour and privilege to welcome Her Royal Highness and to show her our fantastic facilities that will provide educational excellence for generations to come,” she said.
“We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm and interest from our pupils, and we are so very proud of them today. Their pride in their work and the school is exceptional.
“The pupils were offered the opportunity to be part of the ceremony in the hall and provided thought-provoking reasons that clearly demonstrated how much it meant to them that a member of the Royal family was performing the ceremony.”
The Princess Royal then concluded her guided tour with a visit to the school’s sports provision, known as the Pembrokeshire Sports Village, and officially opened the facilities.
Cllr Paul Miller, Deputy Leader for Pembrokeshire County Council, said: “‘As you can see, the facilities are outstanding – from this fantastic eight-court sports hall, to the wonderful 3G rugby pitch, Strength Academy Wales, and much more.
“We’re serious about the future of sport in our county and we’re investing in it. It’s a genuinely exciting time and I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say how delighted I am to see the culmination of such an ambitious project.’
Haverfordwest High VC School provides educational and sports facilities for 1500 pupils aged 11-16 and 250 sixth form students. Jointly funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and Welsh Government under its Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme, the school was completed ahead of schedule in August 2022 despite the challenges of Covid and Brexit. The project management team were from the County Council and the contractors were Morgan Sindall Construction.
The Minister for Education and the Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles said: “I would like to congratulate all involved in the opening of the new Haverfordwest High School. I am delighted that through our Sustainable Communities for Learning Programme we have not only been able to provide an inspiring learning environment for children and young people in the area, but also exceptional sports and outdoor facilities which will benefit the whole community.”
Rob Williams, area director of Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are incredibly proud to have played a role in the delivery of Haverfordwest High VC School and would like to extend our thanks to The Princess Royal for adding a real sense of occasion to the official opening.
“This school will make a real impact on the lives of local people with first-class sports facilities and will provide an enhanced learning environment for pupils to be inspired for generations to come. It is a key contribution to the Welsh Government’s important 21st Century School programme and one which we are very enthusiastic to collaborate on.”
