THE wave of compassion that swept the country after Barrowford Primary School, in the north of England, wrote a letter telling its pupils not to worry too much about exam results as "there are many ways of being smart" is one that will surely ring home elsewhere too.

Headteacher Rachel Tomlinson told parents and pupils last week that while "the scores the you get will tell you something, they will not tell you everything."

She went on: "The people who create these tests and score them do not know each of you the way your teachers do, the way I hope to, and certainly not the way your families do. They do not know that your friends count on you to be there for them or that your laughter can brighten the dreariest day. They do not know that you can be trustworthy, kind or thoughtful, and that you try, every day, to be your very best."

Sound advice most will agree especially when you consider these are key stage two pupils and just 11-years-old.

So in an age of near obsession with testing are we placing too much pressure on our children?

Mitchell Theaker, Swansea council's cabinet member for opportunities for children and young people, is keen to reassure children adding they can sometimes "end up in a state of fear that these tests are the be all and end all, when in reality they are just a brief moment in the history of their lives, and they measure the tiniest snippet of what makes them remarkable people.

"Of course they are important but tests don't quite grasp what makes our children the fabulous, exciting and compassionate people they are. They don't push creativity to flourish and they don't entrench in our society that the measure of a person isn't the grades they get, but how they treat others."

Raymond Squires, head teacher of Cila Primary in Swansea, says that the Welsh Government, unlike the education secretary in England, has scrapped standard assessment test for Year six pupils.

He adds: "It's all about developing the whole child and not putting the fear of God into them when it comes to sitting tests. We aim to develop the child morally, spiritually, culturally and socially as well as the academic side."

STAFF and pupils have been singing the praises of a much-loved head teacher who is retiring after spending 42 years at the same Swansea school.

Kelvin Williams, 64, has decided to call it a day at Portmead Primary School, after eight years at the helm.

To mark his departure, pupils and staff put on a special farewell assembly during which each class presented him with cards they made.

From September Wendy Gwyther will be taking over the role of acting head teacher.

She said: "I have some big shoes to fill following Mr Williams retirement.

"It is an exciting time for me and extremely challenging.

"I am hoping to follow in the excellent footprints Mr Williams has left and continue his good work.

"He has left a great legacy for me to continue."

Ms Gwyther said Mr Williams had spent his teaching career at Portmead Primary School and had made a big impact.

She said: "Mr Williams has spent 42 years at the school and was a teacher here for many years before becoming head teacher, eight years ago.

"He has been a very popular head teacher and will be really missed.

"He has worked very hard during his career and shown tremendous commitment.

"We are very sorry to see him go and he will be truly missed by all staff, parents and children.

"He is a big part of the community and often organises activities for everyone."

Mr Williams will be spending his retirement looking after his small holding.

In addition to Mr William leaving the school, Portmead Primary also waved goodbye to the next set of year six students.

Ms Gwyther said: "The year six students this year have been fabulous and have worked very hard.

"We wish them all the best in their futures."

A HOST of First World War artefacts and personal memories will be taking centre stage in a new exhibition opening in Swansea.

Swansea Eastside Historical Society has been working hard over the past year to gather enough poignant objects and images to open a First World War exhibition.

The exhibition will be displayed in Fabian Bay Congregational Church on Balaclava Street, St Thomas, from August 4 until 6.

Jeff Scannell, secretary of Eastside History Society, said the exhibition was going to be opened by Lionel Hopkins.

He said: "Reverend Lionel Hopkins, the former chaplain at Swansea Prison, will officially launch the exhibition.

"It is looking great.

"We have had lots pieces given to us which are really interesting to see and will look great in the exhibition.

"We have collected a lot of photos, personal memorabilia and other personal memories from families who knew someone who fought in the First World War.

"We are also hoping to get some uniforms to put on display before the grand opening."

Mr Scannell added that members of the Swansea Re-enactment Group will also be on hand in traditional costume from the era.

He added: "Entry is free and there will be refreshments for everyone.

"This exhibition is a one-off as we wanted to do something special to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the conflict. Everyone is welcome to pop along and have a look."

Swansea Eastside Historical Society currently has around 40 members.

The group invites speakers to attend on various occasions to discuss local history.

As well as collecting documents, photographs, DVDs and oral history recordings about the area, the group also holds regular lectures and arranges historical trips.

The exhibition will be open from noon to 4pm and admission is free.

BEN Davies insisted he'd always be grateful to Swansea City for giving him a Premier League chance after signing a five-year contract with Tottenham.

The Wales international this evening completed the switch to Spurs in what is believed to be a straight swap deal for Gylfi Sigurdsson.

Davies came through the youth ranks at Swansea and forced his way into the first team following a serious injury to Neil Taylor in 2012.

The left-back has excelled in the Premier League to become one of the division's hottest prospects.

"I had never thought or wanted to leave Swansea, but an opportunity like this doesn't come up often in your career," said Davies.

"I will always be grateful for what Swansea City have done for me and it will always be the club in my heart.

Moving after 12 years at @SwansOfficial I want to thank everyone that's been part of my career will never forget it #scfc

— Ben Davies (@Ben_Davies33) July 23, 2014

"Having been at the club since the age of eight, I had to think long and hard about leaving because I owe everything to the staff and the club in general.

"The fans have been brilliant with me. It's quite ironic really that it was on our last American tour two years ago that I was first introduced into the first team. Then, when Neil Taylor had his bad injury soon after, I found myself a regular in the team.

"It was a massive step for me and it wasn't easy. But the supporters were right behind me from the very start. They believed in me and gave me the backing I probably needed as a young player at the time.

"I'd like to thank them all personally, but obviously that's not possible. Like I said, I'll always be grateful, but I also hope they feel I have given something back to them over the last two years.

"I'll be back to watch the boys when I can from the stand. It was sad saying my goodbyes because they've been great with me from the first day I joined the squad. But in the end it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down."

GYLFI Sigurdsson is convinced the Swansea City success story is set to continue under Garry Monk after returning to the Liberty on a four-year deal.

Sigurdsson sealed his return to Wales a little over two years since his spectacular loan spell in SA1.

The Icelandic international star is thought to have arrived in a straight swap deal for Ben Davies, while Michel Vorm has also joined Spurs in a separate transfer which is believed to have earned Swansea around £2.5 million.

And Sigurdsson admitted that coming back to a club he knows well was an easy decision.

"It just feels right," he said.

"The squad has changed a bit with new players, but the core is still here and I know a lot of the staff and of course the manager as I played with him while I was here last time.

"It's not as if I'm joining a new team. I'm coming back after two years away.

"The club has really grown on and off the pitch. There's a new training ground here for the first team and the academy.

"It was fantastic to see the club win the cup and go into the Europa League.

"The club has continued to progress and hopefully in the next few years we will get even bigger."

Sigurdsson thrived during his first stint at Swansea, when he scored seven goals in 18 games under Brendan Rodgers after joining on loan from Hoffenheim.

His performances in Swansea colours earned him a move to Spurs, where he had some good times but has struggled to nail down a regular first-team place.

"I really enjoyed my time at Spurs. It was tough leaving a club that I've enjoyed playing for over the last few years, but as soon as Swansea came in it was an easy decision to make," Sigurdsson added.

"It's fantastic for me. I really enjoyed the last time I was here, so it's good to be back.

"I was here for four months and I have a lot of good memories.

"I scored some goals and the teams was doing really well.

"Hopefully I can continue where I left off last time and it will be a good season. Hopefully this time it will be even better."

The two clubs have refused to divulge the details of the three transfers, with the official line being that the trio have moved on undisclosed fees.

Davies has signed a five-year deal at Spurs and Vorm has been handed a four-year contract, while Sigurdsson is tied to Swansea until 2018.

Former Reading star Sigurdsson scored 13 times in his two seasons at Spurs, and he is already setting himself goal targets having returned to SA1.

But the 24-year-old's immediate focus is on pre-season preparations.

"I want to at least match the (goal) tally I scored the last time I was on loan, but first and foremost it's about the team," said Sigurdsson.

"The main target is to stay in the league and push on and get back into the Europa League. Those are the goals I want to achieve.

"But first I must concentrate on pre-season. I missed Tottenham's friendly in Seattle because I was meant to fly back here, so I haven't actually played in pre-season yet.

"I'm looking forward to getting back into training with Swansea and getting a few games under my belt before the season starts." 

POLICE helicopters were out in Lower Clydach yesterday and this morning searching for a 41 year old man who was reported missing in the area. He has now been found safe and well, according to South Wales Police.

Ecuadorian winger Jefferson Montero finally put pen to paper on a four year deal with Swansea City today.

The pacy wide man sealed his move from Mexican club Morelia for a fee thought to be in the region of £4 million. 

To get Swansea City fans in the mood we've dug out this video of the 24-year-old terrorising defences - as you can see he looks like a pretty useful addition to Garry Monk's squad.

Montero has 43 caps for Ecuador and helped his country win the Pan American Games in Brazil in 2007.

Dogs Trust Bridgend have a budding athlete in their midst.

Despite having four paws too many to qualify for the Commonwealth Games, energetic pup Lucy the Leap has been showing off her skills to win the ultimate prize - a new home.

Staffordshire Bull Terrier Lucy Lou, was handed in when her owner was no longer abler to care for her, but she hasn't let that dampen her spirits.

Although she is an accomplished heptathlete, the two-year-old's favourite event is fetch, and she will scamper away for any ball or discus thrown for her.

"Lucy Lou is a golden girl who would make the perfect pet in the right home," Beverley Price, Dogs Trust Bridgend rehoming centre manager said.

"She needs to live with active, adult owners who have experience of her breed and will take the time to get to know her. 

She is still young and just like any athlete, she could do with extra training which will help them settle and become part of the family. Lucy Lou can live with a compatible dog able to keep up with her zest for life. 

"Whether you are training for the Commonwealth games or just enjoy long rambling walks Lucy Lou could be the girl for you." 

Anyone interested in offering Lucy Lou or any of the other dogs at Dogs Trust Bridgend a new home should call 01656 725 219 or visit www.dogstrust.org.uk.

Ruth Dawson / ruth.dawson@swwmedia.co.uk / @Ruth_Dawson

A MAN was sexually assaulted in the Afan Valley last night.

Police in Neath Port Talbot are now appealing for witnesses to the incident, which took place at around 9pm on July 23.

The assault happened on a track between Croeserw and Blaengwynfi  - known locally as 'the line'  - when a 36-year-old man was assaulted a short time after he had walked past a group of men.

The men were walking in the direction of Croeserw from Blaengwynfi. The victim was walking in the opposite direction.

A short time after passing the group, the victim was pushed to the ground and sexually assaulted.

One of the group is described as being male, white, aged around 20, 5 foot 6 inches to 5 foot 8inches in height, with dark hair shaven on the sides.

He was wearing a light coloured vest top, dark bottoms and white, grey and black coloured New Balance trainers

A short time prior to the assault, the victim had spoken to a woman at the Croeserw end of the track who was walking a golden Labrador dog.

Detective sergeant Ricky Price of Morriston CID said: "We are appealing to anyone who knows the identity of this group of men who were walking down the valley from Blaengwynfi to contact us.

"We also wish to trace a woman who was walking her golden Labrador dog and spoke to the victim a short time before the assault took place as she may have important information about the incident.

"This is an unusual incident in this part of Port Talbot and local residents will notice an increased police presence in the area while the investigation continues."

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting reference number 1400267685.

A MAN facing 18 charges relating to indecent or prohibited images of children has appeared in a Swansea court via video link.

David Wiseman, aged 69, appeared from Parc Prison in front of city magistrates.

He faces two charges of making indecent photographs of a child, nine of possessing indecent photographs of children and seven of possessing prohibited images of children.

He will remain in custody ahead of his next appearance in court on August 4.

SWANSEA City have completed the signing of Ecuador winger Jefferson Montero. The 24-year-old has signed a four-year deal for a fee in the region of £4 million. Montero, who played for his country at the World Cup in Brazil, is Garry Monk's sixth summer signing and the second in two days following the capture of Gylfi Sigurdsson from Spurs. The other new recruits are Bafetimbi Gomis, Marvin Emnes and Stephen Kingsley.

A SEX offender who failed to tell police he had changed his address has appeared in court.

Ian Chappell, aged 49, was made subject to the sex offenders' notification requirement after a conviction at Worcester Crown Court.

As part of that, he has to notify police within three days if he moves addresses, but he had moved months before and failed to tell police.

He admitted the breach in front of city magistrates.

His solicitor, Eve Hayes, said he had forgotten to notify them for a number of weeks but had tried to speak to his supervising officer a number of times but had failed to get hold of him.

She said he had compiled throughout the rest of his order.

Chappell, now from Heol Taliesen in Cwmavon, received an 18-month conditional discharge.

Fed up of the constant stream of FarmVille invites, selfies and baby photos? 

It seems you aren't alone, as research released today reveals that 34% of Welsh social media users would consider blocking friends if they posted too many selfies on social media.

The study of UK social media users, for new social media platform Tagstr, reveals that the percentage of social media 'friends' who we would actually want to socialise with in real life is a mere 27%. 

Michael Venn, the 22-year old founder of Tagstr claims this is because people are forced to "friend" each other in order to share media. 

A quarter of us (27%) even confess to blocking at least one 'friend' from social media in the past six months. 

In fact, over a quarter (26%) of young people in Britain today have contemplated leaving one of their current social media channels, such as Facebook and Twitter, over the last six months. 

One in 10 users have gone one step further and have even deleted their profiles.

AN independent review of the role of the Children's Commissioner for Wales is under way.

And the public are being urged to give their views as part of the process.

The review was announced by Welsh Government Communities Minister, Jeff Cuthbert, who has appointed Mike Shooter, a leader in the field of children's rights, psychiatry and children's services, to head it up.

The review will include online surveys, face to face meetings, international comparisons and plenty of contact with children and young people.

The consultation period ends on October 3.

Wales was the first country in the UK to establish a Children's Commissioner in 2001. The incumbent is Keith Towler.

Mr Cuthbert said: "The Welsh Government wants to make sure that the role of Children's Commissioner for Wales is as effective as possible.

"This means looking at what is working well and how things can be improved."

Dr Shooter added: "I urge all those interested to feed into the review — professionals, parents and carers alike."

He added: "It is also my top priority to ensure that as many children and young people as possible participate."

HOLIDAYMAKERS and residents in Swansea and Gower are being urged to report any fly-tipping as the summer holiday season gets cracking.

Day-trippers and tourists are said to contribute some £360 million to the Swansea economy every year, so the coastline and countryside needs to look shipshape to maintain its allure.

In 2012/13 there were 35,000 incidents of fly-tipping in Wales, costing £2 million to clean up.

New sentencing guidelines have come into force in all courts across Wales, which could result in higher penalties for the worst offenders.

Gary Evans, project manager at environmental group Fly-tipping Action Wales, said: "Clean-up operations of fly-tipping do not come cheap to either the council or the tax-payer. Not only is it a crime and expensive, fly-tipping vastly reduces the appeal of visiting an area.

"With word of mouth generally the most common way people find out about a potential holiday location, we urge the public if they see a fly-tipping incident to report it to their council."

A FUNERAL for a brave Llanelli nurse who raised thousands of pounds for charity while battling cancer was attended by hundreds.

People from far and wide paid their respects to Kathryn Williams, who lost her battle with cancer earlier this month aged just 50.

The service, at Llanelli Crematorium on Tuesday was presided over by Rev Eldon Phillips and attended by hundreds of people.

Her heartbroken husband Andrew, a fireman working in Swansea, paid tribute to his beloved wife, calling her a person who "always put others before herself".

Kathy, who is the daughter of a retired Llanelli GP, worked at Prince Philip Hospital from the day it opened and had been a nurse for 50 years. Rev Phillips said it was "an honour and a privilege" to conduct the service.

"It was very much a celebration of her life," he said.

"It really was jam packed there and reflected what Kath had wanted.

"She truly was a selfless individual, who lived her life for others and was one of Llanelli's greats."

Kath had been diagnosed with cancer six years ago.

However it didn't stop her organising a bike ride all the way to Baisingstoke to raise money for the liver unit there.

She took part in Llanelli's Race for Life several times despite being ill.

At the service, a lone piper played in the funeral cortege and the hymn "Morning has broken" was played.

As the second world war song "wish me luck as you wave me goodbye" played out, the entire room burst into spontaneous applause for Kathryn.

Seven people had to be rescued by RNLI lifeguards this afternoon as they were cut off by the tide whilst walking on Swansea Bay.

The three adults and four teenage girls were spotted by RNLI Lifeguard Tom John during his routine patrol as the tide closed in around them.

The group, who were up to their knees in water and cut off from the sandbar were brought safely to shore by Tom and his colleague Tim Rees. 

RNLI Lifeguard Tim Rees said: "It's very easy to find yourself cut off by the tide and trapped on a sandbank if you don't check the tide times before walking on the coast. 

"This group was very lucky this afternoon that Tom spotted them when he did so that we were able to quickly grab the rescue boards and bring them all safely ashore. 

"When visiting the coast please read the safety signs and ask the local lifeguards for advice to make sure you don't accidentally find yourself in trouble on the coast this summer."

A PENSIONER has appeared in court facing a series of sexual offences charges.

Derek Desmond Butt, aged 84, from Pontyshute in Morriston, has denied 30 sex offences.

The charges include rape and encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity.

His trial, which is expected to last four days, will start on January 26.