Three 6th formers, Head boy Joe Murphy, Christopher Drew and Philip Ruddy accompanied by Mr J. Murphy visited the National Assembly on Wednesday 14th February for a 6th form question time. The students from schools in Wales were given the opportunity to ask Assembly members (AM's) for their opinions of matters affecting the people of Wales.

6th Form Assembly Questions - 14th February 2001 - Newman pupils at the National Assembly for Wales

The Chair of the meeting was Jo Kiernan a TV presenter from HTV. The AM's were Kirsty Williams (Lib Dem), David Melding (Con), Janet Ryder (Plaid Cymru) and Alun Pugh (Lab). The Questions asked ranged from, "Does there exist a North / South Divide in Wales ?" to "Tuition fees: Are they fair ?" to "What is the greatest achievement of the National Assembly to date ?". Questions were put in English and Welsh and there is translation facilities for the members to hear Welsh language questions.

The question time took 1 hour. We were fortunate on our way out to get a photograph with Dafydd Ellis Thomas the Presiding Officer (the speaker) of the National Assembly.

The visit to the Assembly was worthwhile and hopefully it will continue with these question times to publicise the work of this important institution to the young people of Wales.

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