Nadolig Llawen! It’s that time of year again – the First Minister is faced with the difficult task of choosing his official Christmas card. This year’s competition is particularly special, as it’s the last card from our current First Minister, Mark Drakeford…
Every Christmas I send thousands of cards to people e in Wales and all around the world– including world leaders! So this card has to be special.
So every year I ask the young people of Wales to design that card for me. We launch a competition each December and ask school pupils to send me their designs, usually based on a very special theme. Teachers have told me the kids really enjoy it and love the responsibility of creating a design that will end up in homes all over the world.
This year’s theme was a ‘A Christmas Wish’ and was open to primary aged children who attend special schools in Wales. Taliesin from Ysgol Llanon won last year’s competition with the theme a ‘A Green Chrismas’ which was launched following the COP26 Summit. In 2021, as we welcomed thousands of people to Wales from Ukraine, the theme was ‘A Christmas Welcome’. That year our winner was Harry from St Mary’s school in Llanelli.
It’s always difficult to choose one winner because I usually get hundreds of submissions and they are all wonderful. After careful consideration, I chose a card designed by 10-year-old Kai Lloyd from Ysgol Ty Coch, in Pontypridd. Kai’s design really stood out for me. His entry was wonderful and creative, with lots of happy people around a very colourful Christmas tree. He explained that it shows his favourite thing about Christmas, which is spending time with his family. I know this card will bring a smile to the faces of everyone who opens it.
Kai’s teacher, Rachael Rogers, and headmaster, Simon Wilson, at Ysgol Ty Coch were so proud of him. They said he tried very hard and showed real creative skills while thinking about what Christmas meant to him. His work is an example of the creativity and ambition found at schools all over the country.
Diolch to all the children who entered this year’s Christmas card competition; my last one as First Minister. And a huge diolch to all the children who’ve designed cards for me over the last five years.
Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i chi i gyd!
Mark Drakeford, Prif Weinidog Cymru
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Thank you Mark for your sound and sensible leadership. You’ll be missed.
Nadolig Llawen i chi.