Montgomery School has gratefully received a donation of 10 HP laptops to support home learning from parent Daryl Davies and his company Riello UPS Ltd.

The laptops were dropped off at school, factory reset, sanitised and PAT tested.

The school continues to improve access to home learning and ICT resourcing.

Last week the school received six teacher laptops from Welsh Government funding.

As a result, older teacher laptops have been allocated to Teaching Assistants to ensure that they also have their own school device to support online learning and provide regular feedback to move learning on.

Headteacher Anna Griggs said: “We are anticipating a delivery of a further eight laptops for students shortly.

“The target for Welsh Government is a minimum of one device between two pupils.

“However, as a result of working with fundraising partners like the Friends of Montgomery School and Montgomery Cricket Club, and also the support of community minded businesses like Invertek and Riello UPS Ltd, Montgomery School is ahead of that target.”

Moving forward, the school is developing a sustainable long term plan to ensure that they maintain high levels of ICT resourcing that will support the school community during COVID and also enable independent learning for the Curriculum for Wales.

A recent Governing Body parental survey identified that there were still some families struggling with older devices or connectivity.

The school continues to loan laptops to families and is also wanting to hear from families as soon as possible if they think a mifi device might boost and ensure consistent internet connectivity.

Monty Hour

In the Monty Hour on January 27, eight well-known Montgomery residents gave attendees some lockdown reading inspiration, each presenting a favourite read, and audience members suggested their own good reads as well.

The Monty Hour on February 3 welcomed David Thomas with a presentation on 150 years of history from the Old Bell archive.

Photographs from the archive are being shared weekly on social media via fb.me/OldBellMuseum.

The next Monty Hour will host a discussion on “An independent Wales?” on February 10.

In our post-BREXIT world, and with the issue of Scottish independence constantly in the press, how might we see the future of Wales? What are the particular difficulties that might be faced by somewhere like Montgomery - a border town? Elwyn Vaughan will give his views on the nature of the Union and how things might develop, and questions are welcomed.

Join the sessions using the link from https://montgomery.cloud/hour, where you will also find the full current schedule.

Vaccinations

Montgomery Medical Practice carried out its first covid-19 vaccination clinic on January 26.

A team of volunteers ensured the clinic went as smoothly as possible by diverting traffic and assisting patients.

The practice reported that the day’s clinic was completed with zero wastage of vaccines.

Playground funds

The Friends of Montgomery Play Park are continuing their work towards achieving a new play park for the town, and have announced that their next fundraiser will be a 100 Square Club.

The group are selling numbered squares at £12 for the year, giving an opportunity to those taking part to win cash prizes as well as helping to raise money for the play park. Details can be found on the group’s facebook page at fb.me/montgomeryplaypark or by emailing playpark@montgomery.cloud. Draws can begin once all the squares have been sold.

Councillor Jill Kibble said: “Friends of Montgomery Play Park continue doing a great job in progressing a new playpark. Exciting potential designs have been received based on the results of the survey and a grant bid is in preparation for a new play park at the Maldwyn Way site.”

The play park at Gaol Road is also valued by the community and will continue to be maintained and improved by the Town Council for the benefit of users.

Cllr Kibble added: “At present, playgrounds are permitted to remain open. The Welsh Government has recognised the benefits of outdoor play to children’s mental and physical health and wellbeing, and outdoor environments are lower risk in relation to coronavirus transmission.

“Some of the equipment has been temporarily put out of action to help with social distancing.”