Ysgol yr Hendre facts for kids
Ysgol yr Hendre is a special primary school in Trelew, a big town in Chubut Province, Argentina. What makes it special is that it teaches children in both Welsh and Spanish! This helps keep the Welsh language alive in a place far from Wales.
The school also has a partner school, Ysgol Pentreuchaf, which is in Wales. They are "twinned," meaning they share ideas and learn from each other.
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What Does the Name Mean?
The name Ysgol yr Hendre comes from the Welsh language. It means 'School of the Old Homestead' or 'School of the Old Dwelling'. An "hendref" is an old word for a traditional home or farm.
How the School Started
Ysgol yr Hendre began in March 1996. It was started by Monica Graciela Jones. At first, it was called 'Ysgol Feithrin Y Ddraig Fach', which means 'The Little Dragon Nursery School'. Classes were held in a small building on her property.
The school officially opened its doors on March 6, 2006. This was thanks to the hard work of Catrin Morris. The goal was to teach young children, aged three to five, in both Spanish and Welsh. This helped the school grow into the bilingual school it is today. The education leaders in Chubut supported the school's goals from the start.
Helping the School Grow
Building and developing the school needed money. A special fundraising effort was held in Wales. This campaign was led by a politician named Dafydd Wigley and an artist named Sir Kyffin Williams. They managed to raise over US$60,000 in less than two years! This money helped Ysgol yr Hendre become what it is now.
Keeping Welsh Alive in Argentina
Ysgol yr Hendre plays a big part in keeping the Welsh language strong in Argentina. Many years ago, Welsh people moved to this area, which is known as Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony). They settled near the Chubut River, which is called Afon Camwy in Welsh.
The school is one of several places where Welsh is taught today. In 2005, there were 62 Welsh classes happening in Chubut. Welsh was also part of the lessons in two primary schools and two colleges in the Gaiman area. By 2018, there were three bilingual Welsh-Spanish schools in Chubut Province, showing how important these schools are for the language.
