Our Foundation: The Story of Wales
Every great journey needs a map. Ours began with the words of Myrddin ap Dafydd. By exploring 'The Story of Wales', we realised that our local history in Blackwood isn't just a small story—it is a vital chapter in the history of a nation. Myrddin’s work taught us that Welsh heritage is built on resilience, language, and a deep connection to the land. This inspired us to go beyond the classroom and discover our own Cynefin.
The Heart of the Valley - BIG PIT.
To truly understand belonging, we had to go deep. We launched our project at the Big Pit National Coal Museum. Standing at the top of the shaft, we weren't just pupils on a trip; we were explorers looking for the roots of our community. This was the 'Spark' for everything that followed.
The Workshop
The Pulse of the Community.
In the workshop, we looked at the impact of the 1984-85 strike beyond the mine. We learned how communities stood together to support each other when things were hard. We looked at letters, posters, and family stories that showed how 'Belonging' became a source of strength. This made us realise that our heritage isn't just about buildings or coal—it's about the people.
Into the Dark - A reality Check
Descending into the mine was a turning point. In the dark, the 1980s strike stopped being a 'topic' and started being a reality.
Beyond the Coal and Dust
We left the pit with more than just coal dust; we left with a sense of Cynefin. We understood that our town's strength comes from its people standing together.
The fabric of our identity
We displayed the Oakdale Pit Banner to understand the power of community symbols. In 1984, these banners were the 'newspapers of the people' they didn't just show where a miner worked; they showed what they stood for. By studying the intricate details and the messages of pride on the Oakdale banner, we learned that heritage is something you can carry with you. This inspired us to create our own Blackwood banner, stitching our modern sense of 'Cynefin' into every square.
Stitched with Pride: Our Handmade Blackwood Banner
To truly understand our heritage, we didn't just look at history—we created it. Every child in Year 5/6 cross-stitched an individual square, which we then joined together to form our very own Blackwood Banner.
Just like the miners of the past, we worked together to create a symbol of unity. This banner represents hundreds of hours of work and shows that while we are individuals, we are all part of one community. Seeing our handmade banner next to the historic Oakdale original was a proud moment for us all.
We were privileged to welcome Mike and his wife, Joyce, to Libanus. Mike’s journey is the story of our valley: starting in 1978, surviving the 1984-85 strike at Oakdale Mine, and eventually becoming a part of the historic worker-led buyout of Tower Colliery.
While Mike described the grit and darkness of life underground, Joyce shared the resilience of the families above ground. Their visit transformed the strike from a page in a history book into a living story of our families. Mike showed us that 'Belonging' isn't just about where you live—it’s about standing together to own your future.
Our research wasn't just about looking at the past; it was about finding our own voices. Inspired by the Oakdale Banner's messages and Mike’s stories of the strike, we stepped into the shoes of those living through 1984. We used the facts we gathered at the Big Pit workshop to build our own persuasive arguments. We didn't just write to finish a task; we wrote to defend our Cynefin.
One Event, Two Voices: Our 1984 Debate
To understand our Cynefin, we had to look at the difficult choices our community faced in the past. After meeting Mike the miner and exploring the Big Pit, we realised that the 1984 strike was a complicated time with many different points of view. We took on the challenge of analysing the facts from both sides. Some of us looked at the environmental and economic reasons for the closures, while others argued for the protection of our heritage and the honour of the working class. These pieces of writing show our journey into the heart of a debate that changed Wales forever.
While exploring the Big Pit, we acted as photographers, capturing the rugged shapes of headframes, rusted machinery and the towering industrial architecture that once defined our landscape. These weren’t just objects to us; they were the skeletons of our history.
Back in the classroom, we studied the life of Josef Herman. Even though he was not born and bred in Wales, he found his Cynefin in the mining village of Ystradgynlais. He said the miners were the 'symbols of a whole world,' and we felt that same connection. Using our own photographs as a guide, we used bold charcoal and dark washes to recreate the industrial world in Herman’s signature style. We wanted to recognise how an outsider’s eye helped Wales see its own beauty and strength.
From the Mimosa to the Skies: Our Patagonia Mission
In 'The Story of Wales', Myrddin ap Dafydd describes the perilous two-month journey of the Mimosa settlers. To contrast their experience with modern travel, we partnered with Safran Seats on an ambitious STEM challenge: to design the futuristic aircraft seats that would carry the next generation of Welsh travellers.
To inspire our designs, we visited the South Wales Aviation Museum (SWAM). Stepping out of the classroom and into the hangar, we immersed ourselves in a full flight simulation to Patagonia. With our passports stamped and tickets in hand, we boarded the aircraft, experiencing the logistics of global travel first-hand.
This experience allowed us to recognise the vast leap in technology since 1865. While the original settlers relied on the wind and wooden hulls, we used our STEM skills to focus on comfort, safety, and innovation. By analysing the ergonomics of flight, we are ensuring that the link between Cymru and Chubut remains strong for the next 160 years.
Voices of the Mimosa: Our Patagonian Poetry
In 'The Story of Wales', Myrddin ap Dafydd uses powerful imagery to describe the struggle for Welsh identity. Inspired by his poetic voice, we wrote our own ballads to commemorate the 160th anniversary of the Mimosa’s voyage.
We tracked the settlers' journey across the Atlantic, analysing the courage it took to swap the green valleys of Cymru for the 'endless sand' of the Chuput Valley. Our poems explore the heartache of departure and the incredible moment of arrival, where two different cultures met and found friendship. Through these verses, we recognised that while the settlers moved thousands of miles away, their hearts remained 'Welsh to the bones'.
A Living Link: From the Valleys to the Andes
We were privileged to be joined by Geraint, a local teacher whose own journey reflects the spirit of the Mimosa. As a 'local lad' who learnt Welsh at university, he shared his experiences of teaching our language in Patagonia.
He told us incredible stories of staying with a lady whose great-grandmother was an original settler on the 1865 voyage. Seeing his photos and hearing his stories helped us realise that the link between Wales and Chubut isn't just history, it's a living friendship. It showed us that no matter where you start your journey, your Cynefin is something you can share with the world.
The Power of the People: The Chartist Uprising
Our investigation into Cynefin began in 1839, with the brave men and women who marched from the valleys to Newport. We studied the Chartists, who stood up for the right to vote and a fair voice in how their country was run.
By analysing the People’s Charter, we recognised that the struggle for fairness didn't start in 1984—it has been part of our Welsh identity for centuries. We explored the local links to the march and created our own 'Fact Files' to document the lives of those who risked everything for the freedoms we have today.
To document our findings, we became digital curators. Using Adobe Express, we designed interactive 'Fact Files' on the key figures of the Newport Rising. We had to focus on organising complex historical data into clear, engaging layouts.
We analysed the motives of leaders like John Frost, William Jones and Zephaniah Williams, ensuring our work was historically accurate while using modern design skills. This process helped us recognise how the stories of the past can be told through the technology of the future.
A Gift from the Archdruid: Myrddin ap Dafydd
To culminate our project, we were honoured to have a virtual visit from the renowned author and former Archdruid of Wales, Myrddin ap Dafydd. Having used his book 'The Story of Wales' as our guide throughout the term, it was an incredible experience to speak with him directly via Teams.
Myrddin shared his passion for Welsh history and identity, but the most moving moment was when he shared a Cynefin poem written especially for the children of Libanus Primary. This unique gift perfectly captures the spirit of our journey—from the iron of the valleys to the shores of Patagonia. It serves as a reminder that while history is about the past, our Cynefin is something we carry into the future.
Diolch yn fawr/Thank you!
As the pupils of Year 5/6, we want to say a massive thank you and diolch yn fawr to everyone who made our Cynefin project so special. We couldn’t have done it without you!
Myrddin ap Dafydd: For our Teams call and the incredible poem you wrote just for us. It made us feel so proud of our history.
Ben Price and the Big Pit Team: For the unforgettable experience underground and for sharing the stories of the miners.
Geraint: For showing us that the Welsh language is alive and well in Patagonia—diolch for the stories!
SAFRAN SEATS & SWAM: For inspiring us to become the engineers of the future and for an amazing day at the museum.
You have all helped us understand where we come from and who we can become.
Diolch o galon!