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24/02/2004 ABP STAFF GO BACK TO SCHOOL Businessmen and women across South Wales’ ports industry are going back to school to help the children in their local community. Staff from across Associated British Ports’ (ABP’s) five ports in South Wales – Newport, Cardiff, Barry, Port Talbot and Swansea – are taking part in Business in the Community’s (BiTC) national educational programme to improve basic skills, leadership and employability among students in schools throughout the UK. In West Wales, Captain Stan Gilbert, an ABP Pilot who is usually found at the helm of ships, guiding them into the Port of Swansea or Port Talbot, is taking time out of his normal working day to provide regular reading support to primary school children at Edwardsville Primary, Merthyr. Mike Dunn, Headteacher, Edwardsville Junior School, said: “In such as short time, Stan Gilbert has become a valuable part of the school team; he is fantastic with the children and we are very pleased to have him on board the mentoring programme. We are happy to welcome him into our school at any time.” In Cardiff, Phillip Holliday, ABP Marine Manager, Mike Clark, ABP Management Accounts Assistant, and Steve Johns, ABP Hydrographic Survey Manager, are all taking time out of their normal working day to provide regular mentoring support to secondary school pupils. Philip is working with children from Llantarnam Comprehensive who are hearing-impaired while Mike and Steve both work at Blaengwawr Comprehensive, Aberdare. The mentoring, which assists pupils with their development, not only gives them an insight into the world of work but also provides them with a positive role model and friend; the programme is proving extremely successful. Paul Edwards, Class Teacher, Llantarnam Comprehensive, said: “This is an excellent, exciting programme. The mentors are fantastic and the pupils are really benefiting from having individual attention and working in small groups.” In Newport, Simon Brett, ABP Deputy Port Manager, and Emma Lewis, ABP Operations Assistant, are taking time out of their normal working day to provide regular reading support to primary school pupils at Woodlands Junior, and Oakfields Primary, Cwmbran. The programme, which helps to improve children’s basic reading skills and literacy, is proving extremely successful, as teachers from both schools commented: Mrs Miln, Class Teacher, Oakfield Primary School, said: “All the children enjoy the reading sessions. It has helped in developing their confidence and their relationships with new adults.” Cheryl Barker, Co-ordinator and Teacher, Woodlands Junior School, said: “There is a direct improvement in pupils’ confidence and self-esteem and it’s felt that social attributes are just as important as academic achievement.” Peter Williams, Director, BiTC, Cymru, added: “Community involvement does not have to be simply about charitable giving. The ‘right to read’ and mentoring programmes are clear examples of how businesses can make a social investment in their community which can be mutually beneficial to both parties.” Echoing BiTC’s sentiments, Nick Glenton, Personnel Manager of ABP’s South Wales Ports, said: “Staff taking part in the education programme, across South Wales, are finding that it is not just the children who are benefiting from this experience. Our personnel have expressed a real sense of achievement and accomplishment from seeing the pupils they assist grow in confidence and ability.”